Jonny Rea's Dutch double

Rea’s stunning weekend performance also included his maiden world championship pole position after Saturday’s Superpole and the fastest lap of the weekend in a dramatic and thrilling second race, setting a new lap record for the revised 4.452km Dutch circuit.

In race one, Rea battled with Troy Corser and Leon Camier in the early laps before stretching out a lead from James Toseland, who finished second, with Camier third. Race two was a stunning Assen classic, as 23-year-old Rea traded places with Corser, Camier and series leader Leon Haslam, eventually leading Haslam home by almost two seconds.

Rea’s results have leapfrogged him from fifth to third in the championship points standings, with 18 points separating him from second-placed Max Biaggi.

After his second win, a buoyant Jonathan said: “You know, it’s been great, but I couldn’t have done it without my team. They gave me a fantastic bike today, so thanks to everyone – my crew chief, data guy, suspension guy, everyone involved.

“We changed the balance of the bike quite a lot for this weekend and it’s made it more comfortable to ride. I guess you could say that today’s two races were probably the smartest I’ve ever ridden. I never got frustrated or caught in traffic and, when it was time to pull the pin, I did, and I’m really, really happy with the double.

“I’’s a clean sweep with pole position, a double win and, I think the fastest lap, so I’m as proud as punch and I can’t wait to take this home. I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and going to Monza, but we’ll definitely savour the moment and I’ll stick around the hospitality this evening and definitely buy the big boss a drink.”

Rea’s team manager Ronald ten Kate said: “It’s quite difficult to describe our feelings at the moment. Jonathan’s clean sweep this weekend happened to be completed in one of the most exciting races we’ve seen. His victories also put us back in contention for the championship race.”

Championship points after four of 13 rounds: 1 Haslam 148, 2 Biaggi 128, 3 Rea 110, 4 Checa 103, 5 Toseland 86, 6 Noriyuki Haga (JPN) Ducati

Next round: Monza, Italy – May 7-9.

Rea to ride at Suzuka 8 hour race

The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team announced that Jonathan Rea will compete in the 2010 Suzuka 8 Hour race in Japan on July 25.

The iconic race forms part of the five-round World Endurance Championship and during its 32-year history has featured some of the greatest riders in world championship motorcycle racing, from both GPs and the World Superbike championship.

Rea will also contest the 300km Suzuka race on June 13 – a race he won with former team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari in 2007 – before competing in the 8 Hour in July, a week before round 10 of the World Superbike championship at Silverstone in the UK on August 1.

His team and team-mate have yet to be announced, but Honda has confirmed that Rea will ride for one of the satellite Honda teams on an HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) CBR1000RR Fireblade, with support from the factory.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be given a chance to go back to Suzuka and compete in the 8 Hour race,” said Rea. “I raced there in 2007 in the 300km and was hoping for a chance to do the 8 Hour that year, but it didn’t happen.

“The winners’ list reads like a Who’s Who of racing,” he added, “and I’d love to add my name to that list. But there are also some fantastic riders who have raced there and never won. It’ll be a big thrill for me and I can’t wait.”

Laverty wins in Holland

Local rider Eugene Laverty qualified on the front row for the Assen round of the world supersport championship and last Sunday won his second race of the season on the Parkalgar Honda in commanding style.

It was Eugene’s second win at the Dutch circuit in consecutive years and gets his world championship back on track after the last two rounds did not go quite to plan.

He said after setting the second-fastest time for this latest round: “I have been on pole for the last two rounds and the results didn’t come, so maybe it was a bad omen to be quickest.”

He was not far wrong as he took a great victory at the weekend.

A delighted Eugene said: “That was a fantastic race for me; I did not expect to ride away with it.”

Sidecar legend Lowry Burton

passes away

Carrickfergus sidecar legend Lowry Burton passed away last Friday, at the age of 72, after a long battle with illness.

Lowry was the only Ulster man to win a sidecar race at the Isle of Man TT races. In fact, the East Antrim rider and his passenger Pat Cush won in both 1986 and 1987.

Although he will be remembered for his sidecar brilliance, Lowry was no mean solo rider, having won the Irish short circuit championship in the 1980s.

He was a gentleman in every sense of the word and a great loss to the motorcycling world. My sympathy is extended to his family and friends at this sad time.

Farquhar wins five at the Cookstown

In front of a massive crowd at the opening road race of the 2010 season, KMR Kawasaki star Ryan Farquhar was in sensational form at Saturday’s Royal Hotel and Breaside Cookstown 100 as he won five races from five starts.

“It doesn’t come any better that,” said the Dungannon flier after winning his 19th race at the 2.1 mile Orritor circuit.

The 34-year-old opened his account in the 125/moto 450 race and after a great battle with William Dunlop was delighted to take the victory as he punched the air as he crossed the line on the new 450 Kawasaki.

This win put him level with the great Ray McCullough’s race total of 14. Come race three, the open race ‘A’, Farquahar’s second and he was unstoppable as he won the 10 lapper quite comfortably from Relentless Suzuki by TAS rider Cameron Donald.

The win made the Kawasaki man the most successful rider ever around the Cookstown. He was not going to stop there and rattled off wins in the Hayes Fuels supersport race, The Royal Hotel and Breaside Cookstown 100 feature race and the Mint Caf Bar 650cc supertwins race to bring his total to five for the day.

In the feature race he smashed the lap record setting a new speed of 90.752mph to eventually fend off a determined challenge from Australian late entry Cameron Donald, who at one stage led the 10-lap race. Third home was Michael Dunlop on the Street Sweep Honda who himself had to fight hard to keep Morrell Racing Kawasaki’s Michael Pearson behind him.

William Dunlop made up for his 125 disappointment with a win from his brother Michael in the 250 race.

Local rider Brian Patterson was pleased with his 13th place in the 750cc support race. The Monkstown rider said: “I am happy with my first outing of the season on the 600 Kawasaki. Money is tight, so I have to pick and choose what meetings I race at. This was a good opener and I was happy with how it went. I hope to race at the Southern 100, but again it depends on funds.”

In the 351 / 1000 classic race Newtownabbey rider Gary Jamison took his 500 Black Bomber Honda to eighth overall and fifth in the 500cc class.

“I am happy with that, considering where I was on the grid,” said Gary, who started at the back of the grid after a poor practice.