WorldSBK championship leader Rea ready to “make it count”

After wrestling the World Superbike championship lead off Alvaro Bautista at Donington Park, Jonathan Rea says he must now press home his momentum to open up the points gap at Laguna Seca before the summer break.

Off the back of four consecutive wins, including his dominant hat-trick at his home round last weekend, Rea has turned a 53-point deficit into a 24-point lead on Bautista with five rounds to go.

The Kawasaki rider is eager to continue to extend his advantage at Laguna Seca, a happy hunting ground for Rea who has recorded four wins at the United States circuit across his career including a double win 12 months ago.

“Weekends like Donington do not come along very often but I enjoyed it and now we are going to Laguna, which is another great track with great support,” Rea said. “I cannot wait, and the people love Superbike there. It is a very iconic track, with the Corkscrew and Turn 1 as well.

“I had a really good weekend there last year and I enjoyed it. You get to ride your motorbike in the sun, so it is pretty cool. It is very important to stay healthy and arrive there in good shape because there is a long summer break after. We have to make it count.”

Laguna Seca hosts round nine of the 2019 World Superbike championship and acts as the final event before the lengthy summer break.

With the US round taking place on July 12-14, the paddock then enters an eight-week pause before the Portuguese round at Portimao on September 6-8.

Rea will be kept busy by taking on the Suzuka 8 Hours with Kawasaki at the end of July.