A top ten finish in race one was a promising start to the day for the Ulster teenager. He enjoyed a comfortable ride and learnt further lessons about the Red Bull Honda. Rea came under slight pressure from the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade of Michael Laverty during the middle of the race. However, he was able to improve his times and pull away from his rival to maintain tenth place across the line.

The 18-year-old approached race two in confident mood, which was reflected in the strong start that he made from the grid. Rea moved from 13th place up to 11th at the beginning of the opening lap and maintained station until lap four when he moved into tenth place. He remained in that position until the chequered flag at the end of the final 20-lap battle in the world’s leading domestic Superbike series.

Jonathan Rea: “I’m pleased with today’s results. Overall, 2005 has been a good season for me. Red Bull Honda and Dunlop have provided me with an excellent package and helped me to improve as a rider. I couldn’t have wished for a better platform from which to launch my debut in such a competitive championship.

“I’d like to thank Red Bull and Honda for giving me such a fantastic opportunity and look forward to many more successful years of racing in Britain.”

Race one: 1. G. Lavilla (Ducati) 29:07.520; 2. L. Haslam (Ducati) +0.312; 3. J. Haydon (Suzuki) +7.390; 4. R. Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda Racing) +7.498; 5. D. Thomas (Kawasaki) +7.795; 6. M. Rutter (HM Plant Honda Racing) +11.848; 7. G. Mason (Honda) +20.394; 8. S. Plater (Honda) +23.404; 9. J. McWilliams (Honda) +30.839; 10. J. Rea (Red Bull Honda) +35.126

Fastest lap: 1:26.631 (Leon Haslam, lap 10 – new lap record)

Race two: 1. L. Haslam (Ducati) ; 2. G. Lavilla (Ducati) +1.980; 3. S. Plater (Honda) +18.938; 4. R. Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda Racing) +19.291; 5. D. Thomas (Kawasaki) 1+9.539; 6. G. Richards (Kawasaki) +20.231; 7. G. Mason (Honda) +20.385; 8. M. Rutter (HM Plant Honda Racing) +26.386; 9. T. Hill (Yamaha) +34.100; 10. J. Rea (Red Bull Honda) +39.445

Fastest lap: 1:25.728 (Gregorio Lavilla, lap 4 – new lap record)

Championship points: 1. Lavilla – 461; 2. Kiyonari – 429; 3. Rutter – 371; 4. Haslam – 350; 5. Richards – 241; 6. Thomas – 198; 7. Harris – 195; 8. Mason – 174; 9. Reynolds – 139; 10. Laverty – 129; 16. Rea – 64



Laverty throws a double six


Eugene Laverty threw a lucky double six at Brands Hatch today by ending the season in the way that he started it. The Red Bull Honda rider equalled his performance over the Indy circuit at Brands Hatch at the start of the season by securing sixth position at the chequered flag today.



The 19-year-old does not have much experience over the longer 2.6-mile GP track at the Kent circuit. However, he was determined to finish his impressive debut Supersport season on a positive note. The final round of the Metabo British Supersport Championship saw another strong performance from Laverty. He recovered from a poor start to battle his way through the ultra-competitive field.



By lap two, the Red Bull Honda rider had settled into a rhythm aboard the CBR600RR and set about making his move towards the leading pack. He first passed former team-mate Steven Neate before making a move on Rob Frost on the subsequent lap. On lap five he continued his charge, first past the Padgetts Honda of Jay Vincent and then one lap later passed Jamie Robinson for seventh place.



He maintained station until the beginning of lap nine when Vincent attempted to take back the advantage. However, Laverty regained his position and stayed there until a red flag on the penultimate circuit of the 18-lap race – caused by a Pere Riba crash – boosted the Red Bull Honda rider to sixth place.



Eugene Laverty: “I’m pleased with my performance today. I’ve learnt a lot this year in the Supersport class, but I hope to be able to develop my race craft even further in the future. Red Bull Honda has worked really hard with me this season to optimise the set-up of the CBR600RR and I appreciate that.”



Race result: 1. S. Easton (Ducati) 28:58.591; 2. C. Jones (Honda) +0.181; 3. C. Crutchlow (Honda) +15.244; 4. T. Sykes (Suzuki) +18.998; 5. L. Camier (Honda) +23.741; 6. E. Laverty (Red Bull Honda) +24.182; 7. J. Robinson (Honda) +27.438; 8. R. Frost (Honda) +28.242; 9. S. Andrews (Suzuki) +28.242; 10. T. Tunstall (Honda) +29.344



Championship points: 1. Camier – 202; 2. Jones – 189; 3. Easton – 161; 4. Crutchlow – 161; 5. Riba – 155; 6. Sykes – 119; 7. Robinson – 112; 8. Vincent – 91; 9. Laverty – 84; 10. Andrews – 67