Qatar WorldSBK race two cancelled

The final race of the 2018 World Superbike season has been cancelled at Qatar due to track conditions.

A rain storm delayed Saturday's schedule, with the shortened World Supersport title showdown getting underway despite numerous streams of water crossing the otherwise dry track.

Title contender Jules Cluzel was one of those caught out by the slick patches, although the final lap highside occurred after his championship chances had already ended due to a front-end fall several turns earlier.

Nonetheless, the Frenchman was left holding his leg and lost second in the world championship after failing to finish the race.

A statement from Race Direction said: “Following the World Supersport race, the safety commission [FIM, Dorna WSBK Organization and SBK riders] met. Due to an increase of standing water, as well taking into account the difference between power and tyres of WorldSBK and WorldSSP bikes, this led us to decide racing would not be safe in these conditions.”

The cancellation of the second World Superbike race means Jonathan Rea will not have the chance to beat Doug Polen's all-time record of 17 wins in a season, which the Kawasaki star tied on Friday.

The four-time world champion would also have been chasing his twelfth win in a row and a record seventh double win of the year.

The early end to the season also confirms Ducati's Chaz Davies as second in the world championship, ahead of Yamaha's Michael van der Mark.