Record sixth World Superbike title in Jonathan Rea's grasp after Kawasaki rider opens gap of 51 points at Catalunya

The Kawasaki rider finished fourth in race two on Sunday at Catalunya in Spain to extend his lead at the top to 51 points over Aruba.it Ducati rider Scott Redding, who finished sixth.

Redding’s team-mate Chaz Davies won the race by 2.460s from Pata Yamaha’s Michael van der Mark, who narrowly held off Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha) on the final lap to snatch second place. Gerloff became the first American rider since Nicky Hayden in 2016 to finish on the podium in a World Superbike race.

Ulsterman Rea was next, gaining a position when Michael Ruben Rinaldi was forced out on the Team Go Eleven Ducati.

Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad) finished fifth ahead of Redding, with Sykes’ team-mate Eugene Laverty in seventh.

After six rounds of the championship, Rea is now in pole position for a remarkable sixth world crown, with Magny-Cours hosting the penultimate round from October 2-4.

The 33-year-old wrapped up his fifth title at the French circuit in 2019.

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