Jonathan Rea’s quest for a fifth WorldSBK title is back on after the Ulsterman battled to a 75^th career victory in Misano, having to overcome a resolute Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) on the final lap for his fourth win of the season. Rea made hay whilst the sun shone at Misano, as Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) crashed on Lap 2 of Race 2.

However, it was not plain-sailing for Rea, as from that moment onwards, he was locked in combat with Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing), who hit the front to lead the majority of the race. Even with four laps to go when Rea hit the front, Razgatlioglu refused to back down and even tried passing Rea at Turn 8 on the final lap. In the end however, it was a 75^th career win for Rea, who is now within striking distance of Alvaro Bautista in the championship race.

Speaking after the race, Jonathan Rea didn’t hide his relief of this massively important victory: “We just try to approach every weekend like a new one, with the same work ethic and motivation inside the team. To win two races this weekend, albeit with a silly mistake by me in the Tissot Superpole Race, we have salvaged a good weekend! I’m super happy with my team and how we work but we still have to improve a lot.”

Rea’s 75^th win also makes it a 131^st WorldSBK win for Kawasaki and their 11^th at Misano from the last 13 races held at the Italian venue.

Continuing, Rea described his emotion of being back in the title fight: “Every race is important and it’s all about trying to minimise our mistakes really. We did a great job this weekend; we are getting limitations each weekend, but we are overcoming them. I really feel that at Donington Park, Laguna Seca and Portimao, we can use the ZX-10RR to its full potential. So, let’s see, we need to keep working but I’m going to enjoy some sun with my family for a week in Italy. I will come back recharged for Donington Park!”

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