GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team's Lucas Mahias got his title defence off to the best imaginable start at the opening round of 2018 FIM Supersport World Championship on Sunday at Phillip Island. The reigning champion was in devastating form in the restarted nine-lap sprint race, starting from pole and leading across the line for every lap before winning by 1.274s to secure the maximum 25 points. His teammate Federico Caricasulo lined up fifth on the grid and right from the start was involved in a superb race-long battle for the rostrum, fighting right to the line and just missing out on the podium by 0.039s after crossing the line in fourth.