Runaway World Superbike series leader Jonathan Rea decided discretion was the better part of valour in yesterday’s two races at Laguna Seca where only a super-aggressive move could have put him past team-mate Tom Sykes.

Rea, who was third in both races behind the Huddersfield man, tried to pass Sykes a few times at the California track’s sparse passing areas but always ran wide on the exit and a mistimed move could have seen them both in the gravel.

“I tried a lot but there was nothing I could do to go through on Tom in race one. He also had a good pace but I am sure I had a higher pace. I just could not through him. I tried a few times and ran wide and it was very clear if I was to stick a pass it had to be an aggressive one and in the last laps I did not get an opportunity,” said Rea.

“He was riding quite smart. In the final corner I was a little bit behind and it was one of those where you had to be clever as well, because 16 points is a lot better than zero. We also had a good pace in race two but it was a little bit my fault because I made too many mistakes.

“Tom and I both lost a lot of time to Chaz when the rain was coming but we ended up with a really good pace together. Today we played the long game a little bit and third is where I could finish.”