Former teammates Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea share the points lead after splitting the honours in a thrilling opening round of the world Superbike championship at Phillip Island.

The British pair both secured a win and a second placing, with Kawasaki rider Rea triumphing in race one and Aprilia’s Haslam turning the tables by just 0.010 seconds in the second race.

The duo were teammates at Honda before going their separate ways this season.

Making a cameo comeback from retirement, 45-year-old Australian great Troy Bayliss (Ducati) was competitive but had to settle for 13th in race one and 16th in race two.

The three-time world champion was doggedly clinging to the back of the leading group in race two before his tyres started playing up, forcing him into the pits for a fresh set.

Rea won opening victory of the season after a torrid 22-lap battle with Aprilia pair Haslam and competition new boy Jordi Torres and Chaz Davies (Ducati), who grabbed third place.

In race two, Rea led onto Gardner Straight for the last time but Haslam was able to nudge his machine in front just metres from the line to notch his first victory in five years while Davies again followed his British compatriots home in third place.