REA DUTCH OF CLASS
Shakey back in business
® ® JONATHAN REA maintained his charge towards a hat-trick of World Superbike crowns with double Dutch delight.
The Kawasaki rider celebrated his 200th race in the series yesterday with back-to-back victories over team-mate Tom Sykes.
After beating him by 4.501secs on Saturday, just 0.025secs separated them as they crossed the line yesterday, in blustery conditions.
“I can’t believe it, another double here – what can I say, I am just so happy,” said Rea after stretching his unbeaten run at his favourite Assen circuit to six races.
Rea now leads Sykes by 64 points in the title race.
“The more wins you get on a certain track, the more pressure you feel to repeat it,” he said.
“I am not sure why I click so well with Assen but it seems to be working. It was so hard to lead round here in the wind.
“I actually lost the front and was lucky to stay on, my foot came off the peg and after that my lap times dropped. “It was a case of managing the race and staying on as it was quite dangerous in places. At the end of the pit wall the wind almost gusted you off the track. The wind was critical.
“Tom wasn’t letting go in the race. Well done to him as I know how sick he has been recently. In the last sector, it was a case of defending as much as possible and getting it to the line first.”