Imola, Italy - The World Superbike Championship heads into its fifth round this weekend at the Imola circuit in Italy where current points leader Jonathan Rea has won the previous four races.
The Kawasaki star's recent results at Imola see him level with former champion Carlos Checa as the most successful rider at this weekend's venue, making him the pre-round favourite for the two races to be run this coming Saturday and Sunday. Rea is also the only rider to have been on the podium in all of this year's eight races so far, and is fresh from a double win last time out at Assen.
Also read: Rea takes dramatic WSBK Dutch double
Rea's team-mate Tom Sykes could also put in a strong showing, as he's tied with Noriyuki Haga for the most Imola podiums in World Superbike history. Sykes is the only rider to have started from pole position at this track more than once - three times to be exact.
However, Ducati will look for a good result at its home race and in-form Chaz Davies could give it to them. Davies scored a double two rounds ago at Aragon, and is the only rider other than Rea and Sykes to have won this season.
Honda riders landed on the podium in both Assen races two weeks ago, once with Dutchman Michael van der Mark and once with ex-MotoGP champiopn Nicky Hayden. But it'll take a special performance from the duo this weekend as Hayden has never raced at Imola, and van der Mark struggled here as a rookie in 2015.
Rea currently leads the points race with 181 to Davies' 136. Third is Sykes on 122.
Star Motoring
Follow Jesse Adams on Twitter @PoorBoyLtd