Jonathan Rea underlined his credentials for the Bennetts British Superbike crown with a brilliant winning double at the rain-soaked Knockhill circuit which moved into second place in the title stakes, eleven points down on his HM Plant Honda team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari.

The rider from Ballyclare was always in control. He had claimed his third pole start, in the dry, at record breaking pace, and, in the wet, showed his style and skill by dictating terms from the front in each of the races.

Rea set a stunning pace that left his more experienced team-mate trailing and the 20 year old enthused: “I got into a good rhythm, everything felt good and I was able to set a good pace running out front. It was really good fun.”

In the opening race, run over 24 laps after a lengthy delay because of torrential rain, Rea made the perfect start, pulling out a sizeable lead in the opening third of the race over Kiyonari, while Leon Camier was holding off the close attentions of Leon Haslam.

Camier slid out, but Haslam was riding strongly, though making little impression on the two Honda riders. Rea was five seconds up on Kiyonari at half distance and eased off a little.

“I was cruising along then and he started to come-back at me, but I was able to up the pace again,” explained Rea. “The conditions were not good, but the bike always felt good and my tyres were working well in the wet, and I was comfortable to be running out front.”

Kiyonari was not able to do anything about it, trailing in almost seven second down. “Very difficult, did not like,” said the Japanese rider. Haslam took third on his Airwaves Ducati ahead of Shane Byrne, Chris Walker and Tom Sykes.

Rea, who had gone 57 races without tasting the victor's champagne prior to his success in the previous round at Mondello Park, was enjoying taking the top step of the podium and was soon to complete a hat-trick of successes with an action replay of his first race performance at the Fife circuit.

He set the pace, breaking clear of the pack, while Kiyonari found himself under pressure from Haslam who was seeking a strong result to close in on his team-mate, former champion Gregorio Lavilla in the standings, having seen the Spaniard tumble, without injury.

Haslam grabbed second place at the Hairpin in the closing stages and Kiyonari just held onto third place as Tom Sykes powered in a dramatic late charge, running only a split second down.

Rea was having no worries, leading throughout to complete his daily double by some six seconds: “This is a good feeling. To be closing in on Kiyo and second in the championship and a winning double. What could be better? I've had a brilliant afternoon, these wins are great but it is important now that I keep pegging points back in the championship standings.”

Kiyonari leads the title stakes 248-237 from Rea, with Lavilla dropping to third, 220-205 ahead of Haslam.

Paul Barron enjoyed his first success in the British Superbike Cup, running ahead of Tristan Palmer and Marty Nutt in the opener, but there was no repeat for the PBM Racing Ireland Yamaha rider as he tipped off in a second race won by Palmer on the THR Honda. Jonathan Rea underlined his credentials for the Bennetts British Superbike crown with a brilliant winning double at the rain-soaked Knockhill circuit which moved into second place in the title stakes, eleven points down on his HM Plant Honda team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari.

The rider from Ballyclare was always in control. He had claimed his third pole start, in the dry, at record breaking pace, and, in the wet, showed his style and skill by dictating terms from the front in each of the races.

Rea set a stunning pace that left his more experienced team-mate trailing and the 20 year old enthused: “I got into a good rhythm, everything felt good and I was able to set a good pace running out front. It was really good fun.”

In the opening race, run over 24 laps after a lengthy delay because of torrential rain, Rea made the perfect start, pulling out a sizeable lead in the opening third of the race over Kiyonari, while Leon Camier was holding off the close attentions of Leon Haslam.

Camier slid out, but Haslam was riding strongly, though making little impression on the two Honda riders. Rea was five seconds up on Kiyonari at half distance and eased off a little.

“I was cruising along then and he started to come-back at me, but I was able to up the pace again,” explained Rea. “The conditions were not good, but the bike always felt good and my tyres were working well in the wet, and I was comfortable to be running out front.”

Kiyonari was not able to do anything about it, trailing in almost seven second down. “Very difficult, did not like,” said the Japanese rider. Haslam took third on his Airwaves Ducati ahead of Shane Byrne, Chris Walker and Tom Sykes.

Rea, who had gone 57 races without tasting the victor's champagne prior to his success in the previous round at Mondello Park, was enjoying taking the top step of the podium and was soon to complete a hat-trick of successes with an action replay of his first race performance at the Fife circuit.

He set the pace, breaking clear of the pack, while Kiyonari found himself under pressure from Haslam who was seeking a strong result to close in on his team-mate, former champion Gregorio Lavilla in the standings, having seen the Spaniard tumble, without injury.

Haslam grabbed second place at the Hairpin in the closing stages and Kiyonari just held onto third place as Tom Sykes powered in a dramatic late charge, running only a split second down.

Rea was having no worries, leading throughout to complete his daily double by some six seconds: “This is a good feeling. To be closing in on Kiyo and second in the championship and a winning double. What could be better? I've had a brilliant afternoon, these wins are great but it is important now that I keep pegging points back in the championship standings.”

Kiyonari leads the title stakes 248-237 from Rea, with Lavilla dropping to third, 220-205 ahead of Haslam.

Paul Barron enjoyed his first success in the British Superbike Cup, running ahead of Tristan Palmer and Marty Nutt in the opener, but there was no repeat for the PBM Racing Ireland Yamaha rider as he tipped off in a second race won by Palmer on the THR Honda.

ends.