Alvaro Bautista claims 11th consecutive win in Assen

In the first lap, Jonathan Rea took Michael van der Mark and Bautista to move into the lead, moving from eighth to first in just five corners.

Leon Haslam then passed Van der Mark with 19 laps to go, but the Dutchman quickly won back his place, and Chaz Davies swept past Alex Lowes, with the pair then going ahead of Haslam, before Davies made it to third with three 17 laps left.

With 16 to go, Bautista showed his superior speed to take the lead, and his partner Davies moved into second place to help Bautista extend his lead, and Van der Mark put the Northern Irishman into fourth.

Two laps later, Rea battled his way back into second place, and with 13 remaining, Lowes moved ahead of Davies as he dropped back.

With four laps to go, Van der Mark moved close to Rea, threatening his chances of keeping in touch with Bautista. The Dutchman put Rea into third place on the next lap, with a hint of trouble for the Briton.

On the last lap, Rea continued to press Van der Mark for the 20 points, but could not pass him and had to settle for 16, allowing Bautista to extend his lead at the top.