 Kyalami - Debut podium delight for Rea [EN] [17-05-09 18:05 by staff GoNBike.com] | ||
Jonathan Rea scored his debut World Superbike podium in race two of the sixth round at Kyalami in South Africa today. It was also the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team’s first visit to the rostrum this season. Both of today’s 24-lap races at the 4.24km circuit near Johannesburg were won by Ducati’s Noriyuki Haga, with Rea also taking an impressive fourth place in race one, absorbing pressure all the way from Aprilia rider, Max Biaggi. In race two, Rea got another good start from fifth place on the grid and ran in second place behind Haga before the Japanese rider’s team-mate, Michel Fabrizio slid past. In the latter stages of the race, Rea held off the attentions of fellow Honda CBR1000RR-mounted Leon Haslam before crossing the line for his first podium in his rookie WSBK season. Rea’s Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team-mate, Carlos Checa, put in two solid performances today for a pair of sixth place finishes. Starting from seventh on the grid, the Spaniard battled rear grip problems and chatter to record his best overall results of the season thus far. Jonathan Rea – 4th and 3rd This feels really good and I was hoping it might have come sooner but we had a pretty slow start to the season. In fact, you could say the season started three rounds before we did. But the development is going really well now and I’d like to thank the whole team for working so hard to move things in the right direction. I’d also like to apologise to all their wives for the late nights they’ve been putting in at the workshop. The crew were giving me great signals through the second race and I knew I was coming under a bit of pressure. I actually knocked the pace off a bit to keep Haslam and Biaggi behind me so that I had a bit in reserve in the last few laps. It’s a great feeling and the first of many, I hope. Carlos Checa – 6th and 6th It’s not easy seeing your team-mates getting this success – Kiyo in Monza last week and Jonathan today. But I must say that this is probably the most positive weekend we have had this season. We’re now a bit closer to something we can work with to move in the right direction, which is back to the front. It’s good timing for Miller in the US where we go next and I have some good memories of winning there last year. Today’s results are, of course, really positive for the team and congratulations to Johnny who rode very well today. Ronald ten Kate – team manager It’s nothing new to say that we’ve had a rough and tough start to the season. The route we have taken since Valencia has taken a few rounds to dial in but it’s clear to see that we’re on the up again. Today’s podium for Johnny is a big bonus and reward for the whole team effort. On a twisty and bumpy track like Kyalami, it shows the great work of everyone involved. Big compliments to Johnny, who rode very intelligently today. Carlos is definitely moving forward again, too, and hopefully the steps we’ve made will give him a good confidence boost as we head to Miller where we have good memories from last year. ::Ten Kate - Press Release:: | ||
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