WSB: Rea poised to clinch historic fourth title

Jonathan Rea is on the verge of clinching another historic World Superbike crown in Magny Cours this weekend.

The triple-world champion is poised to become the most successful rider in the history of World Superbikes should be do enough to clinch the title with two rounds spare this weekend.

Rea needs to outscore rival Chaz Davies by just nine points to take the title in race one, providing Yamaha’s Michael van der Mark does not outscore Rea by 11 points or more.

Should it not happen in race one, Rea will need to maintain a gap of 100 points to his closest rival with his advantage currently sitting at 116 points.

A fourth world title would bring him equal with Carl Fogarty, but having already surpassed Fogarty’s win record earlier this year, four titles plus the most amount of wins sees Rea become the most successful rider in the series’ history.

“I am really excited to go to Magny Cours, especially after the last races where our bike and package has been really strong,” he said.  “I have incredible memories from last year and this weekend marks the first opportunity we have to try to clinch a world championship. But, I am trying to put that to the back of my mind and attack the weekend like every other weekend – work methodically with my family, all the team and our bike to find the best race set-up we can. The weather forecast looks like it is going to be stable throughout the weekend. The target is simple, like at Portimao and the last few rounds, to go out and try to win two races.”