Jonathan Rea on brink of World Superbike Championship title after Malaysia display

Britain’s Jonathan Rea closed in on the World Superbike Championship title with a victory and a second place in the two races at the 10th round in Malaysia.

In the opening race at Sepang International Circuit, Rea capitalised following a late reduction in speed from Kawasaki Racing Team team-mate Tom Sykes to take the honours.

Huddersfield's Sykes, who claimed pole position on Saturday, led from the start and continued to pull away at the front of the pack, but - towards the latter stages of the race - Northern Irishman Rea and Wales' Chaz Davies' tyres were holding up better than those of long-time leader Sykes.

The duo eventually overtook the 2013 world champion as did third-placed Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing Team) and Sylvain Guintoli, who claimed a season-best fourth on his Pata Honda, to leave Sykes fifth.

In the second race of the day, a turn one incident saw two-time world champion Biaggi crash out of contention with Sykes and Alex Lowes (VOLTCOM Crescent Suzuki) having to take evasive action before the Italian retired.

Davies went on to clinch the victory ahead of Rea, after the duo touched at the final corner, while rookie Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils) recorded his second podium of the season in third.

Guintoli scored another fourth position, his best weekend of the season ahead of team-mate Michael van der Mark, who made up for his race-one retirement to come home fifth.

Rea now leads the championship with 452 points ahead of Davies (308) with Sykes 13 points further back and Aprilia's Leon Haslam (259) rounding off the top four as the Brits dominate at the top with three rounds remaining.

Race 1 result:

1 J Rea (Gbr) Kawasaki 33:33.964

2 C Davies (Gbr) Ducati +0.121

3 M Biaggi (Ita) Aprilia +10.695

4 S Guintoli (Fra) Honda +15.433

5 T Sykes (Gbr) Kawasaki +17.983

6 A Lowes (Gbr) Suzuki +23.758

7 L Haslam (Gbr) Aprilia +24.854

8 M Baiocco (Ita) Ducati +28.306

9 N Canepa (Ita) Ducati +31.098

10 J Torres (Esp) Aprilia +34.105

Race 2 result:

1 C Davies (Gbr) Ducati 33:36.466

2 J Rea (Gbr) Kawasaki +0.091

3 J Torres (Esp) Aprilia +5.008

4 S Guintoli (Fra) Honda +13.130

5 M van der Mark (Ned) Honda +15.801

6 L Haslam (Gbr) Aprilia +15.970

7 D Salom (Esp) Kawasaki +24.561

8 A Lowes (Gbr) Suzuki +26.526

9 M Baiocco (Ita) Ducati +28.528

10 R Ramos (Esp) Kawasaki +31.598  

Championship standings:

1 J Rea 452

2 C Davies 308

3 T Sykes 295

4 L Haslam 259

5 J Torres 186

6 S Guintoli 162