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Jonathan Rea securing the title was just a formality they said. But formalities in sport, let alone in motorcycling, just don't exist. Until you cross that line nothing is certain. And that is probably what Johnny had been thinking all weekend. He had a good advantage yes, but you always have to cross that finish line before you can be absolutely sure. Yet it all went to plan and he has secured his second consecutive title, which puts him in the same category as legends like Carl Fogarty, Fred Merkel and Doug Polen, the only riders to have won consecutive titles before him.
A title that came at the end of a picture perfect season for Rea: fast and on the attack in the first half of the championship, more calculating in the second half, when some DNFs and the unexpected return of Sykes and Davies, made the champion's fight a little more complicated than many perhaps expected
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The Rea who gets off the bike at the end of the race is finally satisfied. A race that saw a phenomenal Chaz Davies score another win, his fifth consecutive success at Qatar and his tenth race win of the season, one more than Rea. An impressive tally for the ducatista who hasn't dropped the ball since Lausitzring. His exceptional form means he is now just 7 points from second place, occupied by Tom Sykes.
Race 1 at Losail also brought the first podium for the Yamaha R1, with Sylvain Guintoli finishing third. For the Frenchman , who is still looking for a ride for next season, this result may open doors.
Tom Sykes fails to reach the podium in a race that more or less reflected his weekend up until this point, a difficult one in which he was never really in the mix.
Fifth for Nicky Hayden who was passed by Tom Sykes in the final stages. The "Kentucky Kid" closed ahead of Xavi Fores and Alex Lowes on the second Yamaha. Jordi Torres closed eighth ahead of Michael VD Mark and Lorenzo Savadori. Davide Giugliano ended today's race in the pits, retiring as a result of shoulder pain.
