Superbike hero Rea champion
ANTRIM’S Jonathan Rea was lost for words after claiming a historic third consecutive World Superbike title at Magnycours.
The Ballyclare man’s 50th win in the series gives him an unassailable 129-point lead with five races left after his 12th victory of the season.
Rea finished ahead of Marco Melandri and teammate Tom Sykes to claim the crucial win he needed.
It saw Rea become the first rider ever to win three Superbike crowns in-a-row.
“It’s not hit me yet,” Rea told British Eurosport.
“I dreamt of [winning] one world championship as a kid. It was all I hung on to through the sacrifices of my parents during my motocross days.
“To get one was incredible. Then going back to back with the new bike was unbelievable. This one... I’ve no words.”
The Northern Irishman’s total mastery of the conditions on a drying track made the race a procession as he was away and clear right from the start.
Rea led by more than 10 seconds by lap six as he was in a class of his own.
The Kawasaki rider will aim to achieve his fifth double of the season in Race 2 at the French venue this afternoon.
Rea’s 50th career win draws him to within nine victories of the record race wins tally achieved by fourtime champion Carl Fogarty.
But while Fogarty won four titles, Rea is the first rider to achieve three in a row in the series. It came after Rea topped the qualifying session.
That was despite sliding off the track early on.