Jonathan Rea clinches World Superbike race win in Brno

Jonathan Rea in action at Philip Island in Australia

Rea secured a comfortable win in Brno

Jonathan Rea secured a dominant win in race one and a second place in race two at the World Superbike round at Brno and lies third in the series standings.

Rea led race one from the first lap and ended up 2.5 seconds ahead of runner-up Max Biaggi, with Cal Crutchlow third.

The Czech Republic win was Rea's third in the series this year and the fifth of his World Superbike career.

Eugene Laverty retired on lap seven of the World Supersport race and drops to third place in the series standings.

The Toomebridge rider went into the Czech round with a three-point lead but remains on 161 points, with Brno race winner Kenan Sofuoglu now leading the Supersport class on 183 and Joan Lascorz second on 168.

Rea snatched the lead from Biaggi on the opening lap of the first Superbike race with an audacious move around the outside of the Italian on the exit of the final bend.

The success marked a major change of fortune for the HannSpree Ten Kate Honda rider from Ballyclare after a desperately disappointing weekend at Misano two weeks ago.

Rea led for a time early in race two, but was overhauled by Biaggi, who won by four seconds, with Michel Fabrizio third.

Biaggi leads the championship on 352 points, ahead of Leon Haslam on 284, Rea lies third with 203 and Carlos Checa fourth on 189.

"It was a good to be back on the podium and hopefully we can keep up the momentum for the four remaining rounds of the series," said Rea after race two.

"We are coming into the time of the season where every point counts and I'll be giving it the maximum in every race from now on," he added.