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The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship continues to relive some of the most iconic moments in the Championship’s history. Following on from Part 1, we see which races make the top five for the greatest final win achieved by WorldSBK stars of the past.

5.) Melandri’s masterclass: Phillip Island Race 2, 2018

In terms of style and closeness, last wins don’t come much better than Marco Melandri’s stunning Phillip Island showstopper in Race 2, 2018. Having won Race 1, Melandri left it until the final run to the line to slipstream ahead of Jonathan Rea to take one final victory. With a margin of 0.021s, it’s the closest on the list and secured Melandri the double that weekend, making him the first Italian on a Ducati since Pierfrancesco Chili at Kyalami in 1998 to achieve the double victory. Fair play, Marco. 

4.) Davies delivers in an emotional fairytale: Estoril Race 2, 2020

The final race of a rollercoaster 2020 season was upon us and with the Championship sorted out in Race 1, it was all about personal pride and signing off in style for Race 2. However, for Chaz Davies, it was his final race in the factory Ducati team; mechanics and team personnel had written special messages on his fuel tank to bid him farewell and he went out and delivered them a win. A classy end to a staggering era for Davies.

3.) The people’s Champion for one last time: Misano Race 2, 2004

Pierfrancesco Chili is in the limelight and once again for Race2 at Misano back in 2004. Coming into the race as Championship leader, Chili made a bold move to start the race on an intermediate rear tyre, whilst rain continued pouring down. Dropping as low as 15^th, he never gave up and with 11 laps remaining, he had 11 seconds in front of him. He passed a sideways Regis Laconi on the last lap to take his last victory; one of the best races in WorldSBK history, ‘Frankie’ was unstoppable at home.

2.) Bayliss signs off at the top: Portimao Race 2, 2008

At the time, it was his farewell ride, making this the ultimate hero’s send-off. Portimao came to the WorldSBK calendar for the first time in 2008 and despite an array of British wildcards – including Jonathan Rea – it was another legend of his time leaving the Championship. Troy Bayliss rode faultlessly in Race 2 to secure his 52^nd and last win, coming home with a 3.6s winning margin ahead of teammate Michel Fabrizio. So long, farewell but in the end, we met again – unexpectedly in 2015!

1.) Colin Edwards’ conquers to create a classic: Imola Race 2, 2002

The “Showdown of Imola” in 2002 is arguably one of the greatest comebacks of all time, greatest motorcycle races of all time and without doubt one of the most sensational final lap duels ever seen. However, unknowingly at the time, this would be Colin Edwards’ last win, not just in WorldSBK but in his motorcycle racing career. The frantic pace in the race for first place in the Championship in the last race of the season somewhat overshadowed the fact that Colin Edwards’ final victory came in the Championship-clinching race of that season – not at all a bad way to sign off from WorldSBK. 

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