[WSBK] Race 1 at Magny-Cours: Fourth consecutive world title for Johnny Rea

With a total of 420 points, Johnny Rea was not yet 100% assured of the title when he arrived in the Magny-Cours paddock. There were still six races to go, including two in Nièvre, two in Argentina and the same number in Qatar. But conversely, if everything went well for him, he could leave France on Sunday evening with the world title, his main opponents Chaz Davies and Michael van der Mark totaling 304 points and 284 respectively.

Rea left his opponents little hope by setting the best time on Friday (qualifier for Superpole 2) in 1'37.202. He preceded his teammate Tom Sykes, the practice record holder with a time of 1'36.366 set in 2014. That same Friday, Davies was seventh and van der Mark fifth.

Pole position at Sykes

At the end of Superpole 2, Tom Sykes occupied first place on the grid, with a new Superbike circuit record of 1'35.696, and his 47th pole position. Alongside him were his teammate Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) on the front row. On the third row were Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team), Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) and Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). On the third row were Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team), Loris Baz (Gulf Althea BMW Racing Team) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti), then on the fourth row Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team ), Leon Camier and Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).

Jérémy Guarnoni, just titled in FSBK, replaced Yonny Hernandez in WSBK in the Pedercini team on Kawasaki this weekend at Magny-Cours. He ranked nineteenth. Matthieu Lussiana was riding an Aprilia “Dreamteamcompany”, with great difficulties.

Fastest at the start was Tom Sykes ahead of Johnny Rea, Lorenzo Savadori, Xavi Fores, Alex Lowes and Chaz Davies. Loris Baz was positioned 12th, and Jérémy Guarnoni 19th just ahead of Matthieu Lussiana.

Rea took command, followed by Sykes, Fores, Savadori, Razgatlioglu and Davies. Alex Lowes fell without seriousness in turn 15. Michael Ruben Rinaldi also fell, following an engine failure. He was taken to the medical center.

Rea opened up a gap of more than a second on Sykes and Fores in the fight. Savadori was 4th at 2.4 followed by Davies at 3.7, Razgatlioglu at 4.4, van der Mark battling with Baz at 5 seconds. Lussiana gave up.

Rea and Sykes kept the first two positions without problems, separated by 1.2. On the other hand, third place was the subject of a great fight between Fores and Savadori. A splendid fight pitted van der Mark, Melandri, Razgatlioglu and Baz for 6th position. Loris ardently defended his chances in front of his audience.

At halfway, Rea had a 1.7 lead over his teammate Sykes. Fores was third at 5.1 with Savadori behind him. Davis was closing within a second of these two men.

Rea increased his advantage over Sykes to 2.5, while 6 seconds behind Fores, Savadori and Davies were fighting for third place on the podium. Loris Baz fought against Toprak Razgatlioglu for eighth position. Their fight, as has often been the case this year, was magnificent.

At the end of the race, Rea secured victory ahead of Sykes, while a very close fight for third position allowed Fores to take the third step of the podium ahead of Savadori and Davies. Loris Baz finished 10th and Jérémy Guarnoni 17th.

Race 1 results:

Provisional ranking of the World Championship:

Time of race 2 WSBK:

Sunday at 15:15 p.m.

Photos © worldsbk.com / Dorna