Jonathan Rea claims pole position ahead of Tom Sykes at Magny-Cours

ByPA Sport

Published 01/10/2016 at 10:42 GMT

Reigning champion Jonathan Rea edged out Kawasaki team-mate Tom Sykes to claim his first pole position of the 2016 Superbike World Championship season at Magny-Cours.

Kawasaki rider Tom Sykes, pictured, finished second behind Jonathan Rea at Magny-Cours

Image credit: PA Sport

The championship leader looked comfortable in the wet conditions in France and posted a time of one minute 52.831 seconds to claim first place on the grid for Saturday afternoon's opening race.

Sykes, who is 47 points behind fellow Briton Rea in the standings, briefly led the way in Superpole 2 when he clocked 1:53.593 with two minutes of qualifying remaining.

Rea, though, responded to take his first pole since last year's round in Thailand, which further enhances his chances of defending the 2015 title.

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Chaz Davies, another Brit, posted the third-fastest time in 1:54.087 and will look to maintain his slim hopes of challenging for the championship. The 29-year-old is third, 98 points behind Rea.

France's Sylvain Guintoli qualified fourth, while Britain's Leon Camier was fifth. Alex Lowes finished down in 11th.

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