World Superbikes: Jonathan Rea upbeat for Donington round

Jonathan Rea was a double winner at the last round at Imola

World Superbike series leader Jonathan Rea says he "expects to be strong" at the sixth round of the championship at Donington Park this weekend.

The Northern Irishman has won eight of the 10 races so far this season and enjoys an 87-point lead over nearest rival Leon Haslam in the standings.

"It is a track that really suits the ZX-10R Kawasaki," said the 28-year-old.

"I don't know just how strong we can be until Saturday qualifying, after we have completed our race preparations."

"Donington has presented me with some challenges in the past as a rider but it suits the Kawasaki thanks to the stability of the bike in the last sector and the agility and handling of the machine in the first sector," added Rea.

The County Antrim-born racer has taken one win at Donington in the past, capitalising on an opportunity on the final lap of race two in 2012 to secure victory.

Rea's Kawasaki team-mate Tom Sykes has dominated since then, taking double successes in 2013 and 2014.

Rea's overall tally of 23 wins from 150 World Superbike starts, make him the eighth most successful rider of all time in terms of race wins in the championship.

Meanwhile Jordanstown rider Andy Reid will make his World Supersport debut with the Core Motorsport Honda team after an 11th-hour request to replace Taiwanese rider Ratthapark Wilairot.