Rea's fledgling career almost ended at
Knockhill three years ago when he crashed and badly damaged his femur, he has put that firmly behind him and won the race by 6.848secs over his team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari. Third place on the podium went to Leon Haslam who had an epic battle on his hands to beat the fleet of Hondas at the twisting Scottish circuit.
A deluge of rain delayed the racing and the number of laps had to be reduced from 30 to 24. Initially conditions were improving but by mid race the rain was back in force. The excitement started on the sighting lap for Tommy Hill who stalled his Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha at the hairpin. He tried desperately to push his machine back to the line but the race started with out him, and he joined at the very back of the pack a good 18secs down on the last placed rider.
Up at the front it was Rea who got the hole shot from team-mate and Championship leader Kiyo. They were being chased by a fellow Honda rider Leon Camier on the Bike Animal machine, Haslam was on his case and doing his best to stay clear of Chris Walker who was on fire.
By just five laps in Rea had gapped Kiyo by 3.838secs and Haslam was really putting the pressure on Camier for third place. On lap six Haslam squeezed under Camier to secure his podium placing. Camier didn't stay with the race much longer crashing at Scotsman corner two laps later.
At the end of lap twelve the rain came back with gusto and one lap later saw Hawk Colchester Kawasaki rider Scott Smart retire. Smart crashed in warm-up damaging his shoulder and thigh in the spill.
Stobart Honda's Shane Byrne was now the man on the move, taking Walker for fourth place and doing his best to chase down Haslam but without success. Hill who had been quietly working his way forward was now up to thirteenth place just behind his team-mate Hudson Kennaugh.
Sean Emmett made a return to the top ten in the Superbike class with a superb run to ninth place on the Samsung Suzuki. The Paddock stalwart is replacing his injured team-mate Dean Thomas who cracked two ribs in a fall during free practice on Friday.
BSB race results (1) – Knockhill:
1. Jonathan Rea
2. Ryuichi Kiyonari
3. Leon Haslam
4. Shane Byrne
5. Chris Walker
6. Tom Sykes
7. Gregorio Lavilla
8. Ollie Bridewell
9. Sean Emmett
10. Karl Harris
