Ducati Althea rider Carlos Checa has scored a crushing win in the opening World Superbike race at Phillip Island this afternoon.

The Spanish pole-sitter led for 19 of the 22 laps around the 4.445km grand prix circuit, crossing the chequered flag 4.365 seconds clear of Aprilia’s world champion Max Biaggi.

New BMW recruit Leon Haslam was able to make it three different brands on the podium.

It was the 38-year-old Checa’s sixth World Superbike win, and his second at Phillip Island.

Behind Haslam, Northern Ireland’s Eugene Laverty just edged out Yamaha teammate Marco Melandri in a thrilling drag to the finish line, with the top eight completed by Suzuki’s Michel Fabrizio, slow-starting Czech rider Jakub Smrz on a Ducati and Briton Tom Sykes on the all-new Kawasaki.

Wollongong’s Troy Corser circulated as high as fifth on his factory BMW, before gradually slipping back through the field to finish in 10th.

ASBK champion Bryan Staring was 15th on his Kawasaki, while Mildura’s Josh Waters was 18th on his Suzuki after running off the track on lap four.

The final Australian home was Gosford’s Mark Aitchison in 19th, also on a Kawasaki. There were 20 finishers, with Spain’s Joan Lascorz and highly rated Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli both crashing out.

The fastest lap was set by Biaggi with a 1:32.034, just shy of Corser’s four-year-old lap record of 1:31.826.

Race two for World Superbikes will be held at 3:30pm this afternoon; with the World Supersport race at 1:30pm.