 Reynolds is closing in on the British Superbikes title |
John Reynolds cemented his place at the top of the British Superbike championship by scorching to a double victory at Oulton Park on Sunday. The Rizla Suzuki rider moved 43 points clear of rival Michael Rutter with just one round to go and sealed the manufacturers' crown in the process.
"That is my first winning double in a long time," said Reynolds. "I have the best bike and team in the world.
"I am hungry to win the championship, that's what it's all about."
Reynolds won the opening race, after starting from third place on the grid.
 |  John will have to make a big mistake to lose the title now |
While Rutter struggled to fend off the challenges of Gary Mason and Steve Plater, Reynolds put daylight between him and the rest of the pack.
He came home in 29 minutes 36.3 seconds, nearly four-and-a-half seconds ahead of pole starter Rutter, with Yukio Kagayama edging Sean Emmett for third.
Reynolds stamped his authority on the second race, sweeping past Rutter, on his Honda, after just four laps.
The 38-year-old now just needs an eighth-place finish at Donington Park next Sunday to win the British title for the third time.
"He will have to make a big mistake to lose the title now," admitted Rutter. "But it can happen."
Race 1 result:
1. J Reynolds (Suzuki) 29mins 36.353 secs
2. M Rutter (Honda) @ 4.458 secs
3. Y Kagayama (Suzuki) @ 9.998 secs
4. S. Emmett (Ducati) @ 10.093 secs
5. S Plater (Yamaha) @ 19.964 secs
6. G Richards (Kawasaki) @ 20.098 secs
7. D Thomas (Ducati) @ 21.188 secs
8. S Smart (Kawasaki) @ 25.612 secs
9. T Hill (Yamaha) @ 29.555 secs
10. P Brown (Ducati) @ 33.398 secs
Race 2 result:
1 J Reynolds (Suzuki) 29mins 33.529secs
2. M Rutter (Honda) @ 2.873secs
3 Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) @ 3.184
4 Sean Emmett (Ducati) @ 10.163
5 Dean Thomas (Ducati) @10.180
6 Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) @19.951
7 Steve Plater (Yamaha) @31.243
8 James Haydon (Yamaha) @ 31.288
9 Glen Richards (Kawasaki) @ 31.856
10 Tommy Hill (Yamaha) @ 37.095.
Championship Standings:
1 John Reynolds (Suzuki) 420pts
2 Michael Rutter (Honda) 377
3 Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) 332
4 Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 304
5 Sean Emmett (Ducati) 288
6 Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 184
7 Dean Thomas (Ducati) 175
8 James Hayden (Yamaha) 165
9 Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 129
10 Gary Mason (Yamaha) 105
Constructors' Championship:
1 Suzuki 503pts
2 Honda 416
3 Kawasaki 338
4 Ducati 327
5 Yamaha 263
MMIX
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