Jonathan Rea clinched his third double of the 2018 WorldSBK season with another crushing display of dominance at Laguna Seca on Sunday. The Kawasaki rider sliced through the field from ninth on the grid to lead home Chaz Davies once again with Eugene Laverty completing the rostrum for his first podium finish since returning to WorldSBK last year.
In typical fashion, Rea made rapid progress from his ninth-place grid slot, gaining four spots on the opening lap including that of his team-mate Tom Sykes, while he made light work of the two Aruba Ducatis to take third on lap two. Michael van der Mark surrendered second on lap four and despite his early attempt to break away while the world champion was stuck in traffic, polesitter Laverty gave up the lead on lap eight.
Davies snatched second from Laverty at two-thirds distance but the Irishman held off the two PATA Yamahas to secure Aprilia’s first podium since Lausitzring 2016. Alex Lowes edged out van der Mark for fourth, aided by a brave manoeuvre at the Corkscrew three laps from home, while Xavi Fores completed the top six on the Barni Ducati.
Jordi Torres was a solid seventh for MV Agusta, a result which compounded the misery for Tom Sykes who trailed the Spaniard in eighth. Jake Gagne went one better than his career-best showing in race one, taking ninth for Red Bull Honda, while Loris Baz recovered from a dreadful start to finish tenth.
WorldSBK 2018: Geico US Round: Race Two
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