Kawasaki Racing’s Jonathan Rea set the third quickest time during the final timed World Superbike free practice session at Donington Park, but the Isle of Man resident is not completely happy with his lap times, especially in certain sectors of the Leicestershire circuit.
Rea was unable to top the sheets unlike his team-mate Tom Sykes, who was only one tenth off lap record pace. But Rea couldn’t find those extra four tenths to take the fastest rider accolade this afternoon, and had to settle for a respectable 1’28.483.
The Kawasaki man is not completely confident that he will have the pace to clinch the coveted pole position, but is aiming for the first or second row, but he knows that Superpole will be close tomorrow especially with the top twelve covered by 0.9 seconds.
“I am not happy with the middle part of the lap, the first sector is similar to the second sector but I can’t get it together through McLeans – but maybe it’s me. I have changed the angle at the front of the bike, but there is still more to come,” said Rea, speaking to bikesportnews.com from the track.
“The electronics make the bike quite easy to ride here. For me I wouldn’t bet any money on me [to get pole] there are a few guys who have been strong but I want to qualify on the front row – or even the second row.
“I was satisfied with the pace of the run, but to be in the 1’28’s in the end is something we didn’t see this morning, the feeling with the bike is not great. Tom is for sure the strongest guy this weekend but so is Davide.”
