Jonathan Rea takes Superpole in Thailand

Reigning Superbike World champion Jonathan Rea set a new qualifying record as he secured his first superpole of the season in Thailand.

The Northern Irishman pipped fellow Briton and Kawasaki team-mate Tom Sykes by 0.003 seconds, after the 15-minute qualifying time had expired, to start Saturday’s first race from the front with a time of one minute 32.814secs.

The 31-year-old finished fifth and third respectively during the opening rounds of races in Australia and already trails Marco Melandri by 19 points in the championship standings.

However, Rea, who has won the Super World Championship for the last three seasons, could close the gap on the Italian after the Ducati rider only mustered a seventh-placed finish following a fall on his hot lap at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram.

Englishman Leon Camier (Honda) completes an all-British front row after qualifying in third place despite recording a time which would have beaten the track’s previous best lap.

Spain’s Javi Torres (BMW) was hot on Camier’s heels in fourth with compatriot Xavi Fores (Ducati) and Briton’s Alex Lowes (Yamaha) lining up on the second row.

Ireland’s Eugene Laverty starts in eighth, with Chaz Davies (Ducati) ninth and 2016 pole-setter Michael van der Mark round off the top 10.