This victory became the fourth in California for the leader, and it finished off intrigue in the championship. Now Rea’s lead increases to 75 points with only five rounds to go.

Credit:bbc.com

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) has taken his second win of the weekend at Laguna Seca, despite having to start from the back of row three. The Irishman was unstoppable, again, and became the most successful rider in MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship history at the US racetrack in the process.

Jonathan clearly follows the comment of his championship rival from Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, Chaz Davies: a current three-time champion goes to his fourth title, practically not giving any chances to opponents.

Even three rows of advantage didn’t help Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) to keep Rea’s rush. By the end of lap 1 he had managed to climb from ninth on the grid to fifth. On lap 2 he chased Van der Mark. It didn’t take much time for the Race 1 leader to pass Laverty either during lap 8. A similar story to yesterday: two thirds of the race left, an open track ahead, and an unbeatable race pace. Jonathan left all his rivals with a five-second advantage.

“An incredible weekend. I expected to be strong here but I had no idea how strong. Two weekends in a row now, Brno and here, we have been the reference. Weekends like that do not happen all the time so we have to really absorb it and enjoy the moment. A double win at Laguna in the sunshine – it does not get much better.”

The battle for the second position was hard. Eugene tried to hold Davies’s attacks back for a long time. Ducati rider was in the most uncomfortable position, under attack from Alex Lowes and Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), as well as Lorenzo Savadori. Davies lost a lot of time to get from the 9th position closer to the leading group. When he passed Laverty into second with eight laps to go, Rea was already inaccessible. So Chaz Davies had to settle for second.

Laverty, now in third, was quickly hunted down by the two Pata Yamaha riders. This time, the pair prevented each other, arranging a team duel with only one winner, Lowes, who took the fourth place. Van der Mark crossed the line in fifth.

This third position became the first podium for Laverty of the 2018 campaign, also a first since Sepang 2014. & It’s been a long and hard journey for Laverty, but, as we know, hard work is always paying off.

Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) repeated his Race 1 performance with sixth at the finish line. Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was seventh, ahead of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in eighth. Besides, Sykes is a three-time winner at Laguna Seca, but this weekend became disappointing for him.

Jake Gagne (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) took the ninth position, despite his early crashing. The Californian crossed the line ahead of Loris Baz (GULF Althea BMW Racing Team) in tenth and Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura).

Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) crashed out on lap 4, the third time in the last seven races that the Italian has failed to score any points.

Championship Standings after Race 2, Round 8 – Top 15

1. Jonathan Rea 320

2. Chaz Davies 245

3. Michael van der Mark 215

4. Tom Sykes 196

5. Alex Lowes 183

6. Marco Melandri 168

7. Xavi Fores 154

8. Toprak Razgatlioglu 91

9. Eugene Laverty 89

10. Jordi Torres 80

11. Loris Baz 79

12. Leon Camier 75

13. Lorenzo Savadori 75

14. Michael Ruben Rinaldi 54

15. Román Ramos 49

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