WSBK Superbike Aragón2 Race 2: the turning point of the championship for Jonathan Rea? Michael Rinaldi still there

De Paul Gozzi  / Corsedimoto.com

Jonathan Rea climbs to +36 points in the World Championship. Now it's getting really tough for Scott Redding. The future of Ducati passes through Michael Rinaldi, the kid is not afraid of the Cannibal.

Jonathan Rea signs his 96th triumph and thus approaches his sixth Superbike world championship in a row. Champions sniff the air like wolves, and they instinctively understand when it is time to emerge from their den and bite the prey. The Cannibal won the championship round (+36 points ahead) on a track on which Ducati thought it could take a lead before the end of the season. On the other hand, during this second consecutive round, Jonathan Rea increased his lead by 26 points in three races. He won only one race, but the most decisive. Furthermore, the 33-year-old Northern Irishman accomplished this masterpiece by compensating for the lower top speed of the Kawasaki and also keeping a margin on tire choice.

Michael Rinaldi is not afraid 

Jonathan Rea's target was Scott Redding, not only for obvious ranking reasons, but also because his rival had slapped him twice in a hand-to-hand duel in seven days. The first time during race 1 of the first round, the second this morning during the sprint race. When, thanks to this notable advantage, Rea appeared a little shy, Redding again found himself with his head down, but this time Jonathan did not skimp on risks and reacted furiously: he wanted to beat Redding at all costs , and he ended up doing it. At that moment, Michael Rinaldi, who had beaten him decisively on Saturday, could do nothing. Jonathan Rea has already understood that the young 24-year-old rider from Rimini will count a lot, from now on, and especially in 2021 when Rinaldi will have the official Ducati. Another duel, other risks: To win this race, the king had to use his saber, running on the razor's edge. He was lucky on several occasions, because champions are also lucky…

Ducati, the SCX tire of last resort 

Ducati started Scott Redding with an SCX tire, which gave him a few tenths advantage over Jonathan Rea's chosen SC0, but only if temperatures are high enough. Saturday, with asphalt at 45°, the solution made the difference with Michael Rinaldi. But with 5° less, there was a strong risk that the super soft would not pay off. In fact, he didn't pay. “ It was better to concentrate on SC0” admitted Rinaldi. If Redding and Ducati took this big risk, it means they understood that ordinary would not be enough to beat Kawasaki. You have to pull a rabbit out of the hat every time. But no matter which way you spin it, Jonathan Rea always wins. Nine battles are still to be fought, the road is still long. But the pitched battle we witnessed in the hills of Aragón may have made history.

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Paul Gozzi