Jonathan Rea survives frightening near-miss at Catalunya to clinch runner-up finish and new 48-point lead in World Superbike Championship
In a dramatic race, Rea was fortunate to escape being caught up in Alvaro Bautista’s huge high-side when the Team HRC rider was fired from his machine at Turn 4, shortly after he had taken the lead from Rea and Michael van der Mark on lap three.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDutchman Van der Mark also came through the incident unscathed and began to open a gap over Rea, gradually pulling clear to claim victory in the 10-lap race on the Pata Yamaha by 2.372s.
Rea, who won Saturday's first race, remained in a safe second place and was joined on the podium by Ten Kata Yamaha rider Loris Baz, while Welshman Chaz Davies was the first Ducati home in fourth. His team-mate, Scott Redding, could only finish eighth as the British rider lost more ground in the title race.
Davies only just held off American rider Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha) by 0.056s at the line after the pair were locked in battle throughout.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMichael Ruben Rinaldi completed the top six on the Team Go Eleven Ducati to finalise the first two row of the grid for race two (14:00 BST).
BMW Motorrad rider Eugene Laverty crossed the line in 11th place, matching his result from Saturday’s opening race at the Spanish circuit.
* 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.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWith 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.
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