Gino Rea rode one of the best races of his international career to fight for the outright victory, whilst having to rigorously defend his third place podium finish from the chasing pack. Rea's impressive performance was backed up by his team-mate, Dan Linfoot who looked odds on for fourth place before a hard fought final lap saw him relegated to sixth at the finish.

From the opening practice session on Friday, Rea found a good setting for his StoneBaker Yamaha R6 and quickly gelled with the undulating German track. In first qualifying his pace was good enough to secure tenth, but in the final session with a new rear tyre fitted, Rea upped his pace again to put himself on the front row of the grid, in fourth place for the nine lap race.

The 18 year old got his trademark strong start and moved up into second on the opening lap. With the front runners changing position at virtually every turn he was relegated to fourth, but was able to consolidate the position whilst staying in touch with the leaders. With the front men doing their utmost to pull away, the lap record was being broken practically every lap, but Rea maintained his composure before making a fully committed and sideways pass on Giuliano Gregorini for third. Despite coming under intense pressure from Gregorini and his own team-mate in the final two laps, Rea held on to secure his first podium finish since Valencia in 2007.

Dan Linfoot rode an equally impressive race, which could have seen him secure a top four finish. After qualifying in sixth place, Linfoot made a charge through the pack, but with the pace at the front so fast it was difficult for the 19 year old to make progress.

With two laps to go Linfoot held fifth place but incredibly upped his pace again with a stunning 2m 04.3s lap, which saw him move up into fourth and even mount a challenge on his team-mate for third. Unfortunately as a result of avoiding Rea when he tried to make a pass at the final turn, Linfoot lost two places and had to settle for sixth at the finish.

Gino Rea, Race 3rd, Championship position 7th
"At the start I got passed by a couple of the guys, but I was determined to stay with them and not go backwards and once I got into my stride I was able to do that. I got past Gregorini and then I thought I could catch the leaders. I got with them but I made a couple of small mistakes on the last lap and that allowed them to get away.
"To be honest I was pretty nervous on the last lap because I've wanted this podium for such a long time. My team-mate, Dan nearly got past me, but I was able to stay in front and then I rode defensively for the rest of the lap. To get on the podium is such a great feeling and it means a lot.
"The bike was working really well and I want to thank everyone in the team including our new sponsor 'Maui Jim Sunglasses' because they've all put so much effort in to make it such a good weekend."

Dan Linfoot, Race 6th, Championship position 3rd
"I got a good start but I ended up fighting for position which allowed the lead group to get away. By mid race I was lapping as fast as the leaders and actually began to catch them. I nearly got up into third but it would have been a real close one with Gino so I elected to sit it up, which unfortunately cost me a couple of positions on the last lap."