2 riders killed in Monterey motorcycle race crash

Two Spanish racers have been killed in a chain-response crash on the initially lap of a Globe Superbike race, leaving the racing local community overcome with sadness and boosting questions about what occurred on the observe.

In the first 25-lap race of the day at the Laguna Seca circuit, Rea’s Kawasaki team-mate Tom Sykes set about trying to chase down eventual race victor Chaz Davies but ended up in a defensive battle with Rea as they vied for the 20 points available for second.

Bernat Martinez, 35, went by ambulance to hospital in Monterey while Daniel Rivas Fernandez, 27, was flown to Salinas.

Race organizers MotoAmerica identified the dead as 35-year-old Bernat Martinez and 27-year-old Daniel Rivas Fernandez. “Our prayers and hearts go out to their families and teams”.

MotoAmerica president Wayne Rainey sent condolences to the households. “1st and foremost, is the decline to the family members and beloved types”. It paid off because he made a big gap and I think that was probably the deciding factor in the race.

The decisive moment as far as victory was concerned came on lap one with Davies converting pole position into the lead at turn one while the Kawasakis of Rea and Sykes leapfrogged Davide Giugliano and Jordi Torres who both started sluggishly. “I thank my entire team, Ducati and our sponsors – it’s been a really solid weekend, and a lot better than last year’s outcome of course”.

Behind Davies at the flag were Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea, the podium in race 2 being a carbon copy of the first encounter.

Castletown resident Jonathan Rea holds a 125-point lead at the head of the Superbike World Championship standings after two third-place finishes in California on Sunday.

[Photo by Donald Miralle / Getty Images].