• Bikes for Sale
  • News
  • Buyer’s guide
    • Buy a Motorcycle
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
    • Motorsport
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Locals
imotorbike logo
  • Bikes for Sale
  • News
  • Buyer’s guide
    • Buy a Motorcycle
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
    • Motorsport
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Locals
  • Facebook

  • Instagram

  • X (Twitter)

  • YouTube

  • LinkedIn

  • RSS

Motorsport

SBK Imola – Rea does the double and increases championship lead

SBK Imola – Rea does the double and increases championship lead
Bruno Gomes
May 13, 2018

Jonathan Rea wins both races at Imola and has a bigger advantage in the fight for the title

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) returned to winning days at Imola during this weekend World Superbike round at the Italian racetrack. The Kawasaki rider last victory at Imola was in 2015, but this weekend the triple World SBK champion showed he’s in top form and won both races.

In Race 1, Jonathan Rea and his Kawasaki teammate Tom Sykes both got away from the rest of the field right from the start, but Rea always led the race and showed he is the best rider by not giving a chance to Sykes take the lead.

By half race the Kawasaki riders were far out in front, but Rea managed to open up a gap to Sykes, and they crossed the finish line in 1st and 2nd.

Behind the Kawasaki duo, Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Ducati) returned to the podium after some races without the results he promised in the first races of the year.

Marco Melandri showed a good pace in Race 1 with 3rd position. In Race 2 he was taken out of the race by Michael van der Mark

In Race 2, the situation changed a little bit with Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Ducati) starting from “pole”, having finished Race 1 in fourth after a nightmare race for him with several mistakes. Davies wanted to redeem himself and made everything he could to run away for victory, but Jonathan Rea was again quick from the start, and after a few laps overtaking other riders, the champion was already on the back of the Ducati of Chaz Davies.

The pair opened up a gap to the chasing group, and it was clear that no one could keep up with them, so the victory would be down to Davies and Rea.

The Kawasaki rider showed again he is on another level when it comes to think about strategy, and let Chaz Davies do all the effort for most of Race 2. When entering the last 10 laps, and after studying his rival, Jonathan Rea decided it was time to attack, and after two shots at the lead, he made it stick entering the Variante Alta corner.

Chaz Davies couldn’t get better than 4th in Race 1, but in Race 2 the Ducati rider finished second

Rea came out of Tosa corner really fast, and when braking for the Variante Alta he was already side-by-side with Chaz Davies. With the inside line, it was easy for Rea to overtake Davies, who had no room to try and get back to the lead of the race.

From that moment on, Rea pushed his Kawasaki to the maximum and opened a margin of around 2 seconds to Chaz Davies who still tried to get back in contention but with no real chance to attack Jonathan Rea.

With his second win of the weekend at Imola, Jonathan Rea equaled the record for total number of victories in World Superbike. He now shares that record with legendary rider Carl Fogarty, both with 59 wins.

In third position, Tom Sykes bounced back from a poor start to Race 2. The British rider once again stepped into the podium, and with this result the podium for Race 2 at Imola was all British, the first time this happens this season.

Tom Sykes was on the podium on both races at Imola

The fight for the title is now even more unbalanced with Jonathan Rea opening up a big difference to his rivals. Rea has 209 points, Chaz Davies is second with 162 and Tom Sykes is third with 137.

Related ItemsChaz DaviesfeaturedImolaJonathan ReaMarco MelandriraceRace 1Race 2resultsTom Sykesworld superbikewsbk
To read the full story
login with google
login with facebook
or
Create an account for free
This won't cost you.
by clicking this button you agree to iMotorbike's visitor agreement
Already have an account? Sign in here
Click here to get notified on every new article
Motorsport
May 13, 2018
Bruno Gomes

With more than ten years as a motorcycle journalist, i enjoy everything that has to do with two-wheels. I'm a fan of sport bikes and i prefer riding them on a racetrack, but give me a road filled with corners and good asphalt and i'll be there to have some fun!

Related ItemsChaz DaviesfeaturedImolaJonathan ReaMarco MelandriraceRace 1Race 2resultsTom Sykesworld superbikewsbk

More in Motorsport

Davey Todd Joins AutoRace Ube Racing Team for 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours

Hazique ZairillJuly 31, 2025
Read More

MotoGP Confirms 100% Non-Fossil Fuels by 2027

Hazique ZairillJuly 31, 2025
Read More

Stefano Manzi to Step Up to WorldSBK with GYTR GRT Yamaha in 2026

Hazique ZairillJuly 30, 2025
Read More

Zmarzlik Replaces Stolen Gear for Young Rider

Michelle LiewJuly 29, 2025
Read More

Hakim Danish Takes P4 in Aragon, Retires in Race 2

Michelle LiewJuly 29, 2025
Read More

Xavi Vierge Replaces Injured Iker Lecuona at 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours

Hazique ZairillJuly 29, 2025
Read More

Seewer Takes Sixth as Ducati Progresses at Czech MXGP

Michelle LiewJuly 28, 2025
Read More

Young Riders Dominate Tangkak in FIM MiniGP 2025

Michelle LiewJuly 28, 2025
Read More

Rabat Scores First Point for PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda

Hazique ZairillJuly 28, 2025
Read More

Stefano Manzi Dominates in Hungary, Extends WorldSSP Lead

Hazique ZairillJuly 28, 2025
Read More

Toprak Razgatlioglu secures a hat-trick at Hungary’s Balaton Park

Hazique ZairillJuly 28, 2025
Read More

Remy Gardner Signs New Deal with Yamaha for 2026–2027 WorldSBK Seasons

Hazique ZairillJuly 25, 2025
Read More
We want to buy your bike Join us on Telegram
Scroll for more
Tap

Join us on Facebook

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • Comments

  • Allianz Motor Insurance
    Allianz Motor Insurance: Policy Features (Malaysia)
    Buyer's guideJuly 17, 2025
  • Zurich Motorcycle Insurance
    Zurich Motorcycle Insurance: Policy Features (Malaysia)
    Buyer's guideJuly 17, 2025
  • Yamaha R25 V2 Review: Perfect for New Riders and Seasoned Bikers
    Buyer's guideJuly 8, 2025
  • 2025 Honda ADV350 Launched in Malaysia with New Tech and Features
    Buyer's guideJuly 22, 2025
  • Modenas Kawasaki Ninja 250 ABS Review: A Stylish Entry into the “Big Bike” World
    Buyer's guideJuly 8, 2025
  • BMW F 450 GS to Launch in 2025 as Lightweight Adventure Bike
    NewsJuly 10, 2025
  • Blueshark Launches SoloEra Solo 1C EV Scooter for Just RM599 with MARiiCas Rebate
    Buyer's guideJuly 15, 2025
  • Suzuki Unveils 2026 GSX-R1000R M6: A 40-Year Legacy Reborn
    NewsAugust 1, 2025
  • Malaysian Ducati Owner to Sue Over Alleged Unauthorised Use of Panigale V4S
    Buyer's guideJuly 31, 2025
  • Davey Todd Joins AutoRace Ube Racing Team for 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours
    MotorsportJuly 31, 2025
  • MotoGP Confirms 100% Non-Fossil Fuels by 2027
    MotoGPJuly 31, 2025
  • Simpson and Buell Launch Limited Mod Bandit Helmet
    NewsJuly 30, 2025
  • Spiro Launches Africa’s Largest E-Bike Rollout
    NewsJuly 30, 2025
  • Honda to Unveil New Electric Motorcycle on September 2
    NewsJuly 30, 2025
  • MV Agusta Lucky Explorer Project 9.5: testing the Schiranna prototype - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • CFMOTO 450SR to enter Malaysia in March 2023 at RM29,300 - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • Suzuki V-Strom now available in Malaysia at RM81,900 - news.iNthacity: More Top Breaking News and Popular Stories To Stay Informed says:

    […] Michelle Liew […]

  • Colin says:

    I hope they make the Dax street legal. Love to…

  • Mohd Razi bin Rosli says:

    Adv 150cc

  • Nena Maxberry says:

    Just curious what they would retail for

  • Adam Kenny says:

    RM4159 for the front fork is it?

Categories

  • Buyer's guide
    • First Rides & Reviews
    • Specs, Prices & Others
  • cafe racer malaysia murah
  • Campaign
  • CSR Programme
  • Electric Motorcycles
  • Electric Motorcycles
  • Industry
  • Industry
  • Kedai Motor
  • Lifestyle
    • Concepts & Custom
    • Electric Motorcycles
    • Events
      • EICMa
    • Helmet
    • Motorsport
      • ARRC
      • CubPrix
      • Moto3
      • Motocross
      • MSBK
      • WSBK
    • Tips & Stories
    • Travel
  • Moto2
  • Motor Murah
  • News
    • Locals
    • MotoGP
    • Scoop
  • Review
  • Scoop
  • Scoop
  • Suzuka 8 Hours
  • Tips & Tricks

Corporate

About Us
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Disclosure Policy
Contact Us
SUBSCRIBE NOW!

2024 iMotorbike World Sdn. Bhd.(1205246-M). All rights reserved.

Moto2 – Triumph tests the new engine and the Magneti Marelli ECU
SSP Imola – Jules Cluzel wins a race without Kenan Sofuoglu
Nak Jual Beli Motor 😊 ?
WhatsApp
Hi iMotorbike 😊
Open chat