Castrol Honda rider Jonathan Rea pleased about second position start at Imola circuit – WSBK news
Castrol Honda rider Jonathan Rea is pleased to score second position for the race start at the Imola circuit in the World Superbike Championship.
The British rider used a newly designed ride by wire electronics during the Imola super pole round.
Rea is currently at 12th seat in the WSBK championship points’ table, but with a new performance package, he is ready to challenge the top contenders.
While speaking to Motorcyclenews.com, Jonathan Rea said, “I’m really happy. It just feels easier than it did before especially on corner entry. Before I had to work hard to settle the bike on the way into the turn before I could really enter the corner.
But now once I’ve done my back shifts the bike is more stable and I can tip into the corner.”
The Imola circuit has been repaved for the event. The new layer of tarmac is providing a lot of grip. The riders are confident of performing well in the event. The fresh track surface allows for better handling.
Though it is the same for every rider, it is a great effort to sustain a position in the front. During the final minutes of the Superpole3, Rea gave a tough time to pole seat winner Carlos Checa and affirmed his potential for the top squad.
The new package by wire electronics was recently tested at Misano, Italy. The lap times were improved but while running at Imola, Rea’s performance crossed the expected limits of his team and himself.
Rea further said, “We did a good job today with the bike and the tyres. I feel strong at this track, especially last year, but with the new surface for this season the track has changed quite a bit – especially for the tyres.”
Rea also said that he is working hard to reassure the choice of tyres and to come up with a better tyre strategy. The British rider aims to ride with better endurance tyres which help in better lap times. Rea is followed by N. Haga of PATA Team Racing Aprilia.
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