Source: Supplied.

Superbike World Champion Jonathan Rea’s perfect 17-race podium streak of 2016 came to an abrupt end at Laguna Seca in race two on Sunday when a mechanical fault on his Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R ruled him out.

Rea raced to his first-career victory during Saturday’s opening encounter, however he retired from the race on lap six after experiencing a technical issue, recording his first no-score of the season.

“To not finish is disappointing because up to that point I felt so good with the bike,” Rea reflected. “Even when I got stuck in some traffic at the beginning I was able to close down the gap to the leaders. I feel it was one more race we could have really capitalised on, but this is racing sometimes. We need to analyse everything with the bike.

“When I went wide in T7, I rejoined the track and it seemed I had a problem. As soon as I closed the gas the rear was locking and I heard some noise. I carried on through some corners, arrived in turn one and it was really locking a lot.

“Then in turn two something was wrong, so I pulled in. We have to take the rough with the smooth, because we have had a really good run so far, but it is a frustrating way to go into the summer break. I wish the Lausitzring round was next weekend because I feel really good with the bike and that is a huge motivation for me.”

Despite his disappointing finish to last weekend, Rea currently had a 46-point advantage in the world championship standings ahead of Laguna Seca race two winner and Kawasaki Racing Team teammate Tom Sykes.