Jonathan Rea was on the podium in the Czech Republic

Jonathan Rea finished third in Sunday's first World Superbike race of the day at Brno in the Czech Republic.

The Ballyclare rider came home behind winner Max Biaggi and his HannSpree Ten Kate Honda team-mate Carlos Checa.

Rea took fourth in the second race, which was won by Ben Spies, and still lies fourth in the series standings.

Eugene Laverty was fifth in the World Supersport race and now trails series leader Cal Crutchlow, who failed to finish Sunday's race, by 17 points.

Michael Laverty was 13th in the Supersport event.

Rea had qualified fourth fastest for the two Superbike races while Laverty was second quickest in Saturday's Supersport qualifying.

Spies and Michel Fabrizio collided early in race one and both crashed out, while championship leader Noriyuki Haga was eighth.

Fabrizio was second in race two and Haga sixth.

"We managed to grind out a good result in Superpole and we did the same in race one," said Rea.

"The team dug really deep to put us back on the podium after a really slow start to the weekend.

"Of course, two riders crashing in front helped us to get some good points but we were with the leading guys when it happened.

"We head into the summer break going in the right direction and I'm looking forward to recharging the batteries before we come back fighting again at Nurburgring in September," he added.

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