---
title: "Rea relaxed ahead of title decider"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/10/17/rea-relaxed-ahead-title-decider/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "SBK"
published: "2016-10-17T11:01:18Z"
modified: "2016-10-17T11:01:40Z"
---

# Rea relaxed ahead of title decider

Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jonathan Rea will have to wait until the final round in two weeks’ time to try and clinch the 2016 WorldSBK title, but says he heads to Qatar in a ‘relaxed mood’ over his chances.

The Northern Irishman found the going pretty tough at the Jerez Circuit this weekend. He lost a lot of time on Friday practice trying to find an optimal set-up for his ZX-10R, but was able to drag his Kawasaki to second on the grid, albeit six tenths of a second adrift of teammate Tom Sykes.

In the first race, Rea just didn’t have the pace to keep up with Sykes and crossed the line third, his gap in the standings reduced to 44 points. On Sunday, Rea had the upper hand on his teammate.

Sykes took the holeshot at the start, but was quickly passed by Ducati’s Chaz Davies. The Yorkshireman held second ahead of Rea for the first nine laps, the Northern Irishman unable to set up a clean move. Then, at Turn 5 on the 10th lap, Rea finally got the job done and moved through on Sykes.

With Davies too far ahead, Rea tried to back Sykes into the chasing Nicky Hayden, the American closing to within four tenths of a second come the final lap. But the Honda rider was unable to put himself between the KRT pair, meaning Rea did not have the points gap he needed to seal his second successive title.

Nonetheless, Rea was left feeling positive regarding the fact he took two podiums at a track that has been unkind to him in the past and now sits 48 points clear of Sykes with just 50 left  available this season.

“We had to play the long game here,” said Rea. “I haven’t felt so good at this circuit honestly. So to be two times on the podium is quite good. The gap to Chaz and Ducati is a bit worrying right now. But we can move on to Qatar, which is a track I really enjoy. Last year I had one good race there so we will see. I’m very relaxed now though, because even with the form of Chaz right now and with 48 points I think we can go to Qatar in a relaxed mood and look to pick up the target there.”