A strong second race at the Chang International Circuit saw Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team's Sylvain Guintoli take a sixth place finish as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship completed its weekend in Thailand, while his teammate Alex Lowes experienced an unfortunate retirement.

The hottest day of the race weekend at Chang International Circuit saw air temperatures of 36°C heat the asphalt to the mid-40's as Race 2 began. Sixth off the line, the initial laps saw Guintoli fighting for position with his teammate as they both pushed towards the front group, before the 2014 WorldSBK Champion made a move stick. Maintaining his rhythm despite an attack from Nicky Hayden, the Frenchman's pace kept his YZF-R1 in the fight for fifth - holding Torres behind while retaining his focus on Hayden in front, eventually coming home sixth and keeping fifth in the Championship standings.

Another great start saw Lowes gain two positions from his seventh place grid spot and he diced with Chaz Davies for fourth as they crossed the line for the second time.Continuing to race consistently in the hunt for the front group, lap 10 witnessed an early exit for the British rider, retiring his YZF-R1 at turn five with an untimely technical issue.

"We've had some up's and down's this weekend,” said Guintoli. “To be honest I said after Phillip Island that I thought we would struggle more here, and we did, but saying that we've shown some really good pace on pure lap time and pure performance, so that's a good sign. We've also progressed a lot during the weekend and in between the races - with a lot of work and a very late night working on data with the guys, so thanks to them for that. I appreciate it, staying up late to try to make the right choices! We've improved the performance - we've gone from 25 seconds from the winner in the first race to 13 in race two!"

"I'm really disappointed with today as I felt great on the bike and had a decent start to run fifth,” lamented Lowes. “I was probably riding the best I have done all year, so it's even more disappointing that I couldn't finish the race. I'm pretty devastated, but I felt like I was starting to understand how to get the best from this bike, so I need to go back, regroup and come back strong in Aragon."

The Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team now returns to Europe in preparation for the championship's first race in Spain, at Motorland Aragon, on Saturday 2nd April.