Aprilia rider Max Biaggi has won his first world superbike race at Phillip Island, claiming Sunday’s opening encounter by over seven seconds ahead of fellow Italian Marco Melandri.

After reigning world champion Carlos Checa spectacularly crashed out of the lead on lap four, Biaggi had it all his own way and extended his cushion out to nearly 10 seconds before easing off in the last few laps.

The 40-year-old has now won superbike and MotoGP races at the 4.445km circuit.

Biaggi also completed the full suite of accolades in race one, setting a new lap record (1:31.785) and the highest top speed of 325km/h.

Bryan Staring was the leading Australian, making up eight spots from qualifying to finish 10th on his privateer Kawasaki.

While Biaggi enjoyed clear air out in front, there were a number of battles behind him, including a fierce arm wrestle for second place between the BMW-backed Melandri and Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli on a Ducati.

Melandri eventually got the better of that one after a flurry of passing activity, flashing across the finish line 0.274 seconds in front of Guintoli.

Pole-sitter and early leader Tom Sykes was fourth on his Kawasaki, followed by Ducati’s Jakub Smrz and Italian Michel Fabrizio, who picked his way forward on the BMW after a slow start.