Jonathan Rea second in final Superbike race of 2014

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Jonathan Rea finished third in the World Superbike series

Jonathan Rea finished second in Sunday's final World Superbike race of the 2014 series in Qatar.

The Ballyclare rider, who came fourth in Sunday's opener under floodlights, ended the series in third place.

Toomebridge's Eugene Laverty was ninth in the first race at Losail and then crashed out in his last Superbike race ahead of his move to MotoGP next year.

Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli won both both races to clinch the title, six points clear of Britain's Tom Sykes.

Rea led the opening race on his Pata Honda but fell back and missed out on a place on the podium.

Defending champion Sykes set the pace in race two but Rea edged into the lead, only for Guintoli to move ahead and pull clear.

There was a battle for second between Rea and Sykes with the Northern Ireland competitor coming out on top.

It was enough to move Rea a point ahead of Max Melandri in the final standings, with Laverty back in 10th.

Laverty, who slipped off the track early in race two, will ride for the Aspar team in MotoGP after 13 victories in the World Superbike Championship.