Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Hip hip... hooREA!
Jonathan’s record three-in-a-row
TRIBUTES have poured in for Jonathan Rea after the Ulsterman created history by clinching a third successive World Superbike championship.
The Ballyclare rider was imperious in the wet conditions at MagnyCours in France as he claimed victory in race one ahead of Marco Melandri and Tom Sykes.
It saw 30-year-old Rea, whose win also made it 50 race successes in the championship, become the first rider to claim three successive Superbike crowns. It is the latest motorcycling success story to emerge from Northern Ireland.
And it wasn’t long before the tributes started flooding in for Rea, including one from his father Johnny, a former Irish Road Racing champion and Isle of Man TT winner.
He said: “It’s brilliant Jonathan has clinched his third world title this weekend and become the first ever to win three World Superbike titles in a row. It’s hard to describe my emotions at the minute. I was nervous but excited before the race and I am so proud of Jonathan and all his achievements.
“Also, how he’s the same son now as he always was.”
DUP leader Arlene Foster paid her own tribute to star of the racetrack.
The former First Minister said: “It’s not every day you get to rewrite the sporting history books.
“I want to congratulate Jonathan Rea MBE on his fabulous, historic win by becoming the first rider to win three successive World Superbike titles.” Norman Watt, President Motor Cycle Union of Ireland, added: “Congratulations to Jonathan on his third consecutive World Superbike Championship win. What an achievement – sheer dedication.”
Eugene Laverty, World Superbike racing star, said: “Jonathan has achieved such great results and I am delighted for him following this latest success.
“Jonathan is such a talented rider and I knew once he got on the Kawasaki he would be a title contender. A huge achievement.”