Jonathan Rea finishes fourth in Russia Superbike round

Jonathan Rea

Jonathan Rea finished fourth in horrendous conditions at Sunday's eighth round of the World Superbike series at the Moscow Raceway in Russia.

Pata Honda rider Rea was just edged out of a podium spot by Ayrton Badovini as Marco Melandri took a third win of the year from BMW team-mate Chaz Davies.

Eugene Laverty crashed out at turn seven on lap 15 as he was holding onto third position in the race.

The second event of the day was cancelled because of the wet track.

The race began in dry conditions but the rain began to fall on lap six, making the event something of a lottery.

Laverty had been involved in the battle for third, but made a break after managing to get in front of Sylvain Guintoli, before suffering his fifth non-finish of the season.

Riders were forced to return to the pits to change tyres as conditions worsened and Rea was overhauled by Ducati Panigale rider Badovini late in the race.

Guintoli now leads the series on 239 points, four ahead of Tom Sykes, with Melandri third on 207 and Laverty fourth with 190.

Ballyclare man Rea lies seventh with 138 points.

Kawasaki rider Andrea Antonelli was killed in an accident on the opening lap of the World Supersport Championship race.

The Italian fell on the long back straight of the Russian circuit in treacherously rainy weather conditions and was struck by the unsighted Lorenzo Zanetti in the spray.

Immediately tended to by medical staff at the circuit, it has been confirmed that Antonelli sadly succumbed to his injuries.

The next round will be held at Silverstone on Sunday 4 August.