MCN’s top five WSB races: 5th

Five different riders on four different makes of machinery won WSB races in 2014 which made the job of picking the top five of the year far from easy – and entirely opinion-based. But here’s MCN’s pick of the pops best from the 24 contests that made up the 2014 season.

Assen: Round 3, Race 2

Finishing Order: Rea, Lowes, Giugliano

Rea wins his first of 2014, Lowes takes his first podium, and Giugliano takes his first Panigale podium.

With crashes, red flags, restarts and delays marring the Assen raceday thankfully the racing itself was filled with drama and the usual Assen incident.

The final ten lap race two was won by Jonathan Rea and Pata Honda, but not only this, the travelling British fans got their hearts warmed by the sight of BSB champion Alex Lowes making his first trip to the podium in WSB.

Rea took full risk sometimes, passing to Kawasaki backmarkers into the final chicane to keep his advantage over Lowes at over two seconds.

For Lowes it was proof to the paddock that he was a worthy addition to their ranks, because in the rain it is basically rider more than bike.

Giugliano, a faller in race one, had recovered to score Ducati’s first podium of 2014, bringing relief and then joy to the often-troubled Panigale programme.

Despite the cruel weather changes and only ten laps of racing for the drenched fans this time, it was a feel good end to the day.