Kawasaki’s Jonathan Rea has taken his third WorldSBK double win of the year this afternoon but was challenged hard by both Michael van der Mark and a resurgent Marco Melandri at Misano.
Rea took the lead from the Pata Yamaha man at three-quarter distance but van der Mark was not be denied and hassled Rea until the chequered flag. Melandri took advantage of their scrap and closed right in but neither could find a way past the three-time champion.
The Irishman finished only 0.334 seconds ahead of long time race leader van der Mark (Pata and 0.595 seconds ahead of third place finisher Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).
It was a tough race in the warm conditions for all, and especially for early leader Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team Ducati), who had to pull out of the race early with a technical issue on his bike.
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was fourth after 21-laps, unable to get into contact with the top three but well clear of early contender Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team). Sykes dropped back to finish fifth.
Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK) was sixth, with Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) for close company.
Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) was 2.7 seconds back from his Italian team-mate today, in eighth, after his strong podium on day one.
Loris Baz (GULF ALTHEA BMW Racing Team) held of Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) for ninth place. Camier was 14 seconds from race winner Rea.
In the championship Rea has 370 points at start of the summer break, his nearest challenger Davies has 278. Van Der Mark is third with 248 and Sykes is fourth, on 218.
Jake Gagne (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) was 14th for two more championship points. PJ Jacobsen (Triple M Honda World Superbike Team) retired.
