Rea remains upbeat after Australia races

After struggling to find the right set-up for the fast 4.445km circuit, Rea started both 22-lappers from the second row, moving up to fourth place in race one. The 23-year-old Larne rider fought off the advances of Max Biaggi to cross the line in fourth.

Rea began race two in similar vein after his crew made some changes to the front of his Hannspree Ten Kate CBR1000RR Fireblade. However, a mistake at turn four on the opening lap left him on the grass and Rea rejoined in last place before fighting his way back through the field with some inspired riding to take the chequered flag in sixth place.

His Honda team-mate, Max Neukirchner took 12th in race one and 16th in race two.

”We’ve had problems all week, really, from the test last weekend, right through this one,” said Jonathan. “We knew it would be hard, so, if fourth and sixth is a bad weekend, I’ll take it. I was pretty happy with fourth, because I had to fight for it all the way. We changed the front a bit for the second race and I think it caught me out as I braked for the hairpin on the first lap. I had to let off the brake and by the time I got back on track I was last.

“It gave me a pretty strong motivation actually, and I really enjoyed riding through the field and passing I think maybe 16 other riders, which was a lot of fun. Now we’re looking forward to getting back to some tracks where we know the bike works and to fighting for some podiums again.”

Ronald ten Kate – team manager siad: ”I think Jonathan probably got the maximum out of the weekend that was possible. He rode very well in race one but the bike was a little bit off and his crew did a great job for race two when it was very competitive.

“A little mistake at Honda corner gave Jonathan some work to do but to come back from last to sixth was a marvellous job. However, only wins and podiums count so we’ll be chasing them once again when we return to Europe. Max has had a tough first weekend and its probably one to forget. The only positive is that the changes made for race two got him up to speed but, once he had run off the track, it was a difficult race”.

Both races were nail-biting affairs with less then a second separating the front runners at the finish. In race one it was Brit Leon Haslam from Michel Fabrizio with Nori Haga third. The second race saw Carlos Checa win from Haslam, Fabrizio and French star Sylvain Guintoli. Haslam now leads the championship from Fabrizio with Rea in sixth. The next round of the series is in Portugal 26th to 28th March.