TRIPLE CROWN FOR HISTORY MAN REA

JONATHAN REA became the first rider in World Superbike history to claim a third consecutive title. The Northern Irishman (below with his

Kawasaki team) clinched the title in the first race at Magny-Cours on Saturday.

But his hopes of celebrating in style ended early in the second race when the newly-crowned champion clipped a fallen bike.

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It came after the 30-year-old’s superb display 24 hours earlier when he finished 16 seconds clear of second-placed Marco Melandri to claim his 50th win in the championship.

“Incredible,” he said. “I really wanted to win the title by winning the race as that is something I have not done before, so this is very special and important to me. I have sacrificed so much in my life, as have my parents, my wife and kids and everyone involved in helping me get to this level.

“To win the championship three times in a row is amazing. I feel quite numb. I just feel super proud of my team and Kawasaki.”

Rea started from the front and then never looked back as he opened an unassailable lead over team-mate Tom Sykes with two rounds to go.

But after his heroics to win the title, there was to be no repeat yesterday.

Starting from the third row of the grid, Rea was gaining places before it all went wrong for him on the second lap.

Eugene Laverty high-sided off his Aprilia in front of Rea who clipped it and although he rode on, the triple champion pitted.

“I am really sad, after such a high the previous day, not to finish the race when we had such a good target to aim for,” said Rea.

Sykes, riding with a broken finger, ensured Kawasaki took the manufacturers’ title with third and seventh places, to stay second in the overall standings.

Fellow Brit Chaz Davies is nine points behind him, though, after claiming his seventh win yesterday.