Jonathan Rea wasn't too disheartened to miss out on a maiden World Superbike Championship pole position at Magny-Cours despite his record-breaking lap proving only good enough for second.

Able to get amongst the fight for pole position in Superpole, Rea was looking for his first 'Saturday victory' at World Superbike level having just missed out at Misano, Nurburgring and Imola.

However, despite placing a lap record-breaking benchmark of 1min 38.191secs, even that would be obliterated by a scintillating performance from Ben Spies, leaving the Ten Kate Honda rider to settle for second.

Nonetheless, despite missing out on the top spot, Rea was pleased to once again be battling it out up front, the Northern Irishman now keen to put a tumultuous time at Imola last week behind him with a strong race performance.

“I knew I had the pace today, but it's not just me and Ben that are going to be battling it out tomorrow – it seems to be the same culprits up the front again,” he said. “I wasn't really sure I had set the pole time because I know just how fast these guys are. But the team is working really well together and the bike is really great.

“I feel very strong into the first turn and on to the back straight and our race pace is good, so we'll see what happens in the races tomorrow.”

Rea is currently fourth in the standings, seven points ahead of Max Biaggi who starts alongside him in fourth.