Rea makes it four WorldSBK titles

Kawasaki's Jonathan Rea has secured an amazing fourth consecutive Superbike World Championship by winning race one at Magny-Cours in France overnight. And there are still five races to go in this year’s championship!

At 31 years of age, the racer from Ballymena in Northern Ireland is continuing to make history with the unstoppable combination of his racing talent and the ZX-10RR.

He has now become only the second rider alongside Carl Fogarty to take four titles in the production-based series, and the first to do so consecutively.

“It is absolutely incredible to win four. Sometimes even after winning back-to-back championships, or three in a row I have to say it is hard to find words to speak about what you have just done,” said Rea.

“It is like we are riding the wave now with our Ninja ZX-10RR, with incredible people around me. Whilst I always dreamed of being in this position, I never thought it to was realistic. It was so fitting that Guim, the team manager, allowed my dad to come and collect the team award on the podium.

“I got really choked up when he came up because it just reminded me of growing up in Northern Ireland and travelling all round with my parents to motocross races. Then getting my first pro ride in road racing, and my parents letting go. But they have always had my back. So that was super nice.

“I was just a young kid with a dream from Northern Ireland and now I'm four times world champion and it’s beyond my wildest dreams. Thanks to everyone for believing in me over the years, I couldn't have done it without you all. Thank you."

Rea was a three-second winner in race one at Magny-Cours ahead of teammate Tom Sykes, with Ducati rider Xavi Fores in third.

Rea now has an unassailable 130pt lead (445 to 315) over Chaz Davies (Ducati) in the championship, followed by Yamaha’s Michael van der Mark (293).

Jonathan Rea WorldSBK career statistics (as at September 29, 2018)
Titles: 4
Race Starts: 239
Wins: 67
Podiums: 130
Poles: 16
Fastest laps: 52