Jonathan Rea maintains perfect record in Superpole race with dominant World Superbike victory at Motorland Aragon

Jonathan Rea slashed the gap at the top of the World Superbike Championship to two points after earning his fourth Superpole victory of the season at Motorland Aragon on Sunday.
By Kyle White
Published 30th Aug 2020, 11:29 BST
Updated 30th Aug 2020, 11:30 BST
Jonathan Rea has won all four Superpole sprint races in the World Superbike Championship so far this season.Jonathan Rea has won all four Superpole sprint races in the World Superbike Championship so far this season.
Jonathan Rea has won all four Superpole sprint races in the World Superbike Championship so far this season.

The Kawasaki rider maintained his 100 per-cent record in the sprint-format race this year as he led all the way to clinch victory over Saturday’s race winner and title leader Scott Redding.

Rea, who started from pole, shot into the lead after Ten Kate Yamaha’s Loris Baz went in too hot at the first corner and ran wide, leaving the door open for the reigning champion.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 33-year-old didn’t need a second invitation and Rea quickly found his rhythm, firing in a succession of fast laps to open a gap.

With Ducati rider Redding initially unable to find a way past Baz, it was the perfect scenario for Rea, who opened up an unassailable lead as he once again proved an unbeatable combination over the shorter distance Superpole race.

The Northern Ireland man wrapped up a comfortable win by 0.2s from Redding, while Michael van der Mark secured his first rostrum finish at Motorland Aragon on the Pata Yamaha.

Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC), Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Ducati) and Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team) completed the top six.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There was drama on lap one when BMW Motorrad’s Tom Sykes ran off the track at the corkscrew-like Turns 8 and 9 as he battled with Davies.

Sykes then collided with the hapless Leandro Mercado when he re-joined the circuit, with the Argentinean rider coming off his Aprilia and retiring from the race.

Yorkshireman Sykes continued in the race and finished in 15th place. However, he was placed under investigation for the incident.

His team-mate, Eugene Laverty, was 16th as the Toome man finished outside the points.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Race three over 18 laps will take place on Sunday at 13:00 BST, when Rea will again start from pole. Title rival Redding lines up on the front row in second place, with Michael van der Mark starting from third position.

* A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Irish and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. To subscribe, click here.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you,

Alistair Bushe

Editor

Related topics:Jonathan ReaMotorland Aragon