Chaz Davies launched his World Superbikes campaign with second place in a cat-and-mouse opening race of the season in Australia.

The Powys-born rider was edged out by just 0.042secs by two-time defending champion Jonathan Rea at Phillip Island near Melbourne.

Davies made a last-lap bid for the win but fell just short. It ended a run of six straight wins on his Ducati Panigale from the end of last season.

The 30-year-old led early on after starting fourth with seven riders eventually having a turn at the top before Rea went to the front.

“We’ve made a good step forward for the long distance, but the race itself was a bit of waiting game, as always here in Phillip Island,” said Davies.

“We had to look after the tyres, playing cat and mouse, and it was a good show.

“I tried not to get caught too much in the battle and basically reacted to what was going on around me.

“We almost won, but we still lacked something on the straight. I could pass, but only after the finish line, so we’ll have to try something else.

“Anyway, we adopted a different strategy compared with the past, a bit safer, to not give away points.

“That’s the key at this point of the season, because more favorable tracks for us will come soon enough. But, I can’t wait to have another go at it tomorrow.”

Under the new rules Davies will start Sunday’s second race from eighth on the grid with Rea one place ahead of him.

Alex Lowes – who finished fourth as British riders filled the top five spots – will start on pole.