Rea clinches historic 2018 World Superbike title
Jonathan Rea has made World Superbike history by becoming the first rider to claim four consecutive world championships as he draws level with Carl Fogarty on the all-time titles list.
The Kawasaki Racing Team rider has dominated 2018, despite an overhaul in technical regulations looking to bring the manufacturer competition closer, with the Northern Irish rider claiming 12 wins from 20 races heading into this weekend’s Magny-Cours round.
Jonathan Rea has made World Superbike history by becoming the first rider to claim four consecutive world championships as he draws level with Carl Fogarty on the all-time titles list.
The Kawasaki Racing Team rider has dominated 2018, despite an overhaul in technical regulations looking to bring the manufacturer competition closer, with the Northern Irish rider claiming 12 wins from 20 races heading into this weekend’s Magny-Cours round.
Needing to outscore nearest World Superbike championship rival Chaz Davies by nine points, while also conceding fewer than 12 points to third-place rider Michael van der Mark, Rea sealed his fourth crown in emphatic fashion with a 13th victory of the season in the opening race at the French round.
After seeing team-mate Tom Sykes lead from pole position, Rea quickly got to the front with a move up the inside around Turn 3 on the second lap. The pair traded race lap records but Rea gradually built a healthy time gap with an unrelenting race pace to seal a commanding victory.
Having become the first rider in history to secure three consecutive World Superbike titles last year, Rea extends his record with a fourth straight championship to match Fogarty at the top of the all-time titles list.
Rea has also sealed the 2018 title with five races to spare – repeating his dramatic clinching of last season’s World Superbike riders’ championship at the same venue.
