Jonathan Rea secures historic fourth straight World Superbikes title

The 31-year-old, who equalled Carl Fogarty's number of titles, has dominated the season on his Kawasaki and put in another peerless performance in France, despite missing out on pole to Tom Sykes.

The Northern Irishman has won 13 of the 21 races so far this season to build up an unassailable 130-point lead over second-place Chaz Davies.

Tom Sykes finished second in the race, with Spanish rider Xavi Fores completing the podium.

"It's incredible. No words really. I wanted to make the race mine from the start."

"We worked so hard this weekend on our pace, our one-lap pace.

"Fair play to Tom [Sykes] - that lap in qualifying was incredible and took the edge off our weekend.

"But I'm just a kid with a dream from Northern Ireland.

Rea's fourth title comes in the same Kawasaki team as his previous three and he wrapped up the crown at the same French circuit as last season.

There are five races of the season remaining, with Rea looking to take his career wins tally over 70.