Source: Supplied.

Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jonathan Rea charged to an excellent victory at the Magny-Cours circuit in France on Saturday to secure a historic third-consecutive WorldSBK title, crossing the line over 16 seconds ahead of second placed Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), with Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) finishing third.

Rea made a determined start from pole position and soon pulled clear of the rest of the pack, keeping the hammer down over the 21 laps of the race in the wet-drying conditions at the Pirelli French Round to remain unchallenged at the front. His impressive performance gave him a 12th victory of the season and saw him become the first ever rider to win three successive WorldSBK titles.

It was a truly gritty ride from Rea’s teammate Sykes as the Yorkshireman returned to action with a third place result, having had surgery on a finger injury less than two weeks ago – after a Portimao crash. Sykes completed the podium after just losing out on second place to Melandri in the final stages of the race.

Five seconds off the rostrum positions was Leon Camier who had another excellent ride for MV Agusta Reparto Corse. Another 19 seconds back on his compatriot Camier was Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) who rounded out the top five.

Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) and Leandro Mercado (IODARacing) were sixth and seventh respectively, whilst Davide Giugliano (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) was the eighth rider home.

Early in the race there was a crash for Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team), which also saw Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team) go down, but remarkably Dutchman Van der Mark fought back to finish ninth, ahead of Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). Australian Anthony West (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) lodged an 18th place result.

In WorldSSP qualifying, Niki Tuuli (Kallio Racing) qualified in pole position at the ahead of second placed Sheridan Morais (Kallio Racing), as there was drama for world champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), who had a heavy crash late in the second session while still maintaining third.

Australian Lachlan Epis (Kawasaki) was 15th WorldSSP, while top three in WorldSSP 300 was credited to Alan Muel (Team MOTOXRACING), Paolo Grassia (3ENNE#Racing –Chiodo Moto) and Mika Perez (WILSport Racedays).

Aussies Mike Jones (Ducati Aruba.it – Junior Team) and Glenn Scott (Kawasaki) were third and 17th in the STK1000 division. Bikes are back on track Sunday for the completion of racing.