Reigning WorldSBK champ Jonathan Rea has lost his Jerez race one podium after the last-corner clash with Alex Lowes and will also start tomorrow’s races from the back of the grid.

Rea tried a cut-back pass on Lowes at Lorenzo on the final lap but tangled with the Yamaha rider which resulted in Lowes crashing.

The Irishman has apologised but race direction decided penaties were in order. Marco Melandri is promoted to the race-one podium alongside Alvaro Bautista and Michael van der Mark.

Lowes wasn’t badly hurt in the crash with a team spokesman saying: “Alex is okay, a bit battered and bruised but nothing broken.

“He will have a precautionary check before warm up but he’s already looking forward to tomorrow’s races.”