Jonathan Rea wants to clinch the World Superbike title by winning a race despite only needing to finish ninth at Jerez to secure the crown.

The 28-year-old enjoys a 144-point lead over nearest rival Chaz Davies with three rounds and six races still to go.

“My mentality all season has been to win every race I can so I’ll be going all out for victory,” said Rea.
“To not win the race, or at least stand on the podium, would make it a bad day to lift the championship. It’s within reach. I just have to stay focused.”

A win and a second place in the last round in Malaysia at the start of August saw the Isle of Man-based rider establish an almost unassailable lead in the series and he has yet to finish outside a rostrum position in 20 races this season.
Rea is set to become Northern Ireland’s first motorcycling world champion since Joey Dunlop and Brian Reid clinched the Formula One TT and Formula Two TT world titles respectively in 1986.

Jonathan Rea has made the podium in all 20 races so far this season

“I have to thank Kawasaki who have given me the bike to do the job and I have a great team around me. The package I have is so strong.
“I’ve worked all my career for this moment and I am more excited than nervous. I just have to make sure I don’t make any mistakes.
“Every kid wants to be a world champion and I’ve had this dream since I was five years old. Now it’s become a reality that it can happen, it’s a strange situation.”

The County Antrim rider comes from a famous motorcycling family, with his dad Johnny having won an Isle of Man TT race in a successful road racing career, while his grandfather John was one of Joey Dunlop’s early sponsors.
“My grandfather was a major sponsor in Northern Ireland racing in the 1970s and 1980s and when I was just a few years old he told my dad that I would be a world champion. That has been a major motivating factor for me.
“The Rea name has been involved in racing for a long time and it’s also nice to bring back memories of Joey, who was one of Northern Ireland’s last world champions.

“I was not fortunate enough to be able to spend a lot of time with my grandad before he passed away but he supported me with bikes and it would mean a lot to pay homage to my family. I think he’d be really proud.”