Rea parties as Leon puts bubbly on ice
NEW world champion Jonathan Rea scorched to another win at Magny Cours in France yesterday.
Just a day after taking his fourth consecutive title, the Kawasaki Racing Team rider rewrote the history books again as he smashed the WSB podium record with his 130th rostrum finish.
“It’s incredible,” said the Northern Irishman. “It’s been the most amazing couple of days and it’s time to finally party.”
Rea started yesterday’s race from ninth but was up to third by the end of the opening lap. It took him until lap 12 to pass Aruba Ducati’s Chaz Davies, who had regained form too late this season.
Once ahead, Rea cruised to the win by almost two seconds with Davies second ahead of Pata Yamaha’s Michael van der Mark.
The battle is still on for second with Davies leading Van der Mark by 26 points with two rounds remaining.
LEON HASLAM edged closer to his maiden British title as he doubled up at Assen.
But disaster struck for main rival Jake Dixon, whose RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki was hit by mechanical gremlins, forcing him to retire in the second race.
Haslam had beaten Dixon to the opening win at the Dutch track earlier in the day and now heads into the final round with a 61-point lead, with 75 still available.
“In both races we had some really good battles, we planned the tyres, the set-up and everything for it to work out as it did,” said JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider Haslam.
“We have three races at Brands Hatch to go and I want to win the championship on Saturday, that’s my dream.
“If I don’t, I’ll be going all out for it on Sunday instead.
“Whatever happens from here, I can go to Brands with my head held high.”
Honda Racing’s Dan Linfoot was last night in hospital with suspected pelvic injuries after a big crash at the end of the opening lap of race two.