Monday 21st September 2015

WSB Spain: PH2

Could Rea take the title at Jerez?

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After coming so close to wrapping up the WSB title at the last round in Malaysia, Jerez looked like something of a formality for Jonathan Rea. He didn't need to win the race, only secure a handful of points to take his first world title. Not that it stopped him pushing hard...

Van Der Mark took a podium in race one

From the off, the Jerez race mirrored the 2015 season as the two Kawasakis led the way and Chaz Davies on the Ducati gave chase. Sykes was now gunning for second spot in the championship against Davies and Haslam and after just a few corners he looked like he was trying to check out at Jerez while Rea was sat in a comfortable second spot. But would he be happy receiving the title trophy from second place on the podium? First of all he had to make the podium!

By mid race Sykes was clear at the front with Davies behind and Rea in a hell of a battle for third spot with Haslam and Van Der Mark. After looking like he was settling for points, Rea eventually got the better of Haslam to finish fourth but with the consolation of being the 2015 World Superbike World Champion. Which certainly softened any disappointment...

Race two and with the pressure off, Rea could enjoy the second race if not the first corner! With Sykes out in front, Jonathan made an uncharacteristic error and dropped to fourth place. What looked like an easy win for Sykes soon turned into a nightmare as his tyres went off and Davies took the lead of the race with Torres behind and Haslam in third. Which is how it stayed.

Two fourth places may not have been how Rea wanted to secure his first world title, but he is a class act and thoroughly deserved to take the crown having turned his back on the uncompetitive Honda after years of disappointment and teamed up with Kawasaki.

Over in WSS, Sofuoglu took the win from the Jacobsen and Zanetti with Brit Kyle Smith fourth.

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Results:

Race 1:
1. Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team)
2. Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati SBK Team)
3. Van Der Mark (PATA Honda World Superbike Team)

Race 2:
1. Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati SBK Team)
2. Torres (Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils)
3. Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils)

Brit watch:
Leon Haslam (Aprilia) - 5, 3
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) - 4, 4
Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) - 1, 5
Alex Lowes (Suzuki) - 7, DNF
Chaz Davies (Ducati) - 2, 1
Leon Camier (MV Agusta) - 9, 8
Gino Rea (Honda WSS) - DNF
Kyle Smith (Honda WSS) - 4

Previous rounds:
WSB Spain
WSB Thailand
WSB Assen
WSB Imola
WSB Donington
WSB Misano
WSB Malaysia

[smilo996]

Chaz Davies had ridden a very mature season. Culminating in more aggressive rides and subsequent podium.

Difficult to peel PH readers away from Porschar articles I expect. Nice review, appreciated.

[Arsecati]

Delighted for Rea, a gentleman of the sport never afraid to put in a shift. Brilliant result for him - World Champion! Fair play Johnny!!

[dukeboy749r]

The Brits in WSBK are the group of riders - and have been for a fair few years.

We seem to be holding our heads up in Moto GP too, which is good to see.

About time mainstream TV gave us the racing on television to boot, instead of just (insert expletive here) F1