Our two resident World Superbike stars fared well at the opening round of the new Championship in Qatar at the weekend.

James Toseland with his new team Winston Ten Kate Honda won the first race, after capitalizing on a crash involving likely first and second Haga and Kagayama in the final lap. Toseland resisted severe pressure from Troy Bayliss to take the win.

Southern resident Andrew Pitt was third; his first podium finish of his career.

Race two was won by Troy Bayliss with Troy Corser second. Haga just beat Toseland to the line to claim third.

Toseland goes into the next round at Phillip Island next week in joint second, with Australian Pitt in fourth ahead of his home event.