After his first ever win at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Race 1, Jonathan Rea was battling for the lead in Race 2 before running wide at Turn 6 and then being forced to stop with a mechanical problem.

“We’re not exactly sure what the problem was but we know it’s mechanical,” explained Rea. “When I rejoined the track it was getting worse and worse so I decided to stop. It’s unfortunate because it was a fresh engine and we could have done with that at the end of the year.”

With the points cushion the reigning Champion counts on in the title standings, the loss leaves him frustrated – but happy with the bike and eager for Round 10 at Lausitzring after the summer break.

“It’s never good to lose 25 points to your nearest rival but I feel like I’m the strongest guy right now and I’m not as nervous as I was. I feel comfortable with the bike. Even behind Tom and Davide I felt like I was able to pick my spot to pass so…the only problem for me really is that I have to wait to ride the bike again. When we get back on track at Lausitzring I feel we can do a good job. We’re getting the bike now into a window that I like and it feels like 2015…”

Rea now has four Rounds in which to keep his title defence on track, with nearest challenger Tom Sykes taking the victory in Race 2 at Laguna Seca. WorldSBK will be back at Lausitzring in September for the final run towards the finish line.