In a much anticipated return to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) crashed out of race one on the seventh lap of 22, but is taking positives into the second race.

Starting from the front row following a stunning qualifying performance, Melandri got an astonishing start off the line and was fighting for the win in the early laps. However the Italian fell at turn two of the stunning Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit after coming together with Alex Lowes, but was able to rejoin.

Despite his best efforts, he was forced to enter the pits and retire from the first race: “Actually despite the crash, the race was going to be good. It was very difficult with tyres as we were waiting to use them for the end of the race. When I passed Lowes at turn one going into turn two, he crossed my line and changed direction much faster than normally. He touched my front part of the bike and I lost the front, I went out and I crashed. I’m going to start from 10^th tomorrow but its okay, we will see tomorrow.

I am not happy to start 10^th because the one time I get a good qualifying result, it’s a shame to start so badly but we’ll see, I just want to do my race, don’t think about the other guys and see what happens in the race.”

The Italian will hope to get some points on the board in race two on Sunday, which begins at 15.00LT (+11 GMT).