Jonathan Rea held off a strong challenge from Leon Haslam to win the opening race of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island.

The Northern Irishman led the majority of the contest from pole but by the halfway stage Haslam’s Aprilia hit the front.

However, a mistake at Stoner corner from the Englishman handed Rea the lead back, but Kawasaki’s new recruit was unable to relax.

A resurgent Haslam fought his way back from fourth to challenge Rea on the final lap with the pair swapping positions.

In the end, Rea just hung on to take the chequered flag by a mere 0.039s.

Aruba.it Racing Ducati rider Chaz Davies completed the podium in third having been involved in a titanic battle with Rea and Haslam for the entire race.

Red Devils Aprilia rider Jordi Torres came home in fourth on his world superbike debut, while Pata Honda’s new signing Michael van der Mark was fifth.

Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes endured a relatively lonely race in sixth just ahead of reigning world champion Sylvain Guintoli.

Althea Ducati’s Nicolas Terol finished eighth while Friday pacesetter Alex Lowes (Suzuki) and Leon Camier (MV Agusta) rounded out the top 10.

Former three-time world champion Troy Bayliss finished a credible 13th in his first world superbike outing for six years.

The Australian, riding as a replacement for the injured Davide Giugliano, had climbed inside the top 10 before dropping back to 13th spot at the flag.

The 45-year-old finished five seconds in front of countryman Jed Metcher on the Race Centre Kawasaki in 14th position.

The final World Superbike Championship race of the weekend is due to begin at 2.40pm local time.

Result: World Superbike Championship Race 1