World Superbikes: Rea enjoys double success in France to match Bayliss feat

Jonathan Rea described his 13th and 14th World Superbike victories of 2015 as a “double bonus” considering they came in typically contrasting conditions at Magny-Cours.

Chaz Davies of Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team and Tom Sykes finished second and third respectively forcing the battle for the series runner-up spot to the final race in Qatar.

“I am super-happy, especially to win in the wet and the dry”. Pirelli brought my favorite SC2 front tyre and immediately from the first session I felt really comfortable again.

“I am really happy to have come out and not just have two podium finishes but a double win at a circuit I have never won at before”.

Behind the Kawasaki duo, outgoing champion Sylvain Guintoli was able to break free of a major squabble for “best of the rest” honours, taking a first podium finish of the season aboard his PATA Honda – albeit nearly 15 seconds down on Rea.

Leon Camier scored MV Agusta’s best result in the World Superbike Championship in fifth with Chaz Davies sixth and Matteo Baiocco coming home in seventh.

Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) started strongly but faded and with 7th laps to go he made the decision to pit for intermediate tyres, he eventually finished 16th after starting from Pole.

The world champion’s double triumph saw him chalk up 22 podium finishes for the season, equaling the feat of three-time champion Troy Bayliss in 2002.

Davies managed to hold onto second from Sykes with van der Mark in fourth.

With five laps remaining, just 1.1s separated the two Kawasaki riders, and with three laps to go, Rea briefly put his nose ahead at Adelaide before sealing the deal at 180° as Sykes ran wide.