Kawasaki’s Jonathan Rea is all set to become the first World Superbike rider since Carl Fogarty to defend his title and leave the Qatar round with the number one plate intact.

Rea needs only two points from the available 50 at Losail this weekend to become a two-time champion and take back-to-back crowns. Fogarty last did it in 1999 before he was forced to retire with a shoulder injury.

“I am happy to finish the season here at Losail because it is a circuit that I really enjoy. The atmosphere of Qatar - being a night race, in the middle of the desert, surrounded by five star hotels - is cool. All my family will be there and a lot of my friends are making the trip as well because I hope to cap off an amazing season with the championship win,” said Rea.

“That is what we have been working hard for all season. The races in Qatar give us our chance to try and do that. We have just come off the back of a good weekend in Jerez where I was on the podium for the first time ever, and on the podium twice. I feel really equipped to go out and do a good job at Losail because I really enjoy the track and I feel we can aim high this weekend.”