It is no secret that Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki have been struggling so far this season. However, Imola may have been a turning point for the six-time WorldSBK Champion.

Arriving at Imola Jonathan Rea was fourth in the WorldSBK Championship standings and had just had a good home round at Donington Park. Rea has always historically gone well around Imola so he was expecting big things.

However, Rea was unable yet again to get his first race of the 2023 season. But the Northern Irishman was very happy with the progress that he and Kawasaki made throughout the weekend. Rea took two podium finishes as he finished third in Race One and Race Two, but could only manage fourth in the Superpole Race.

"It was a solid weekend, probably the best weekend of our season so far," said an upbeat Jonathan Rea. "I’m really happy. Trying to keep this momentum now by fighting at the front.

"We knew Imola would be a stronger circuit for us, but nobody told us that on Friday! On Friday, it was a difficult day and even Saturday morning, I didn’t seem to have that out and out pace or rhythm.

"During the races, I felt better with more laps on the tyre and, unfortunately, at the end of the races here in this extreme heat, I was struggling a little but with the SC1 front tyre, it was moving. When you’re on the limit and the front tyre’s moving, it’s more about consolidating your position, trying not to make any mistakes.

"I didn’t make any mistakes, worked quite well with the team and we stuck to our guns with our rear tyre choice for Race 2. We came away with a bag-load of points."

"When you finish the weekend on a good note, it’s always nice because that’s the last thought that you take into the next round."

Rea is still fourth in the WorldSBK standings, but is now only seven points behind Andrea Locatelli. With two weeks to go until the next round at Most Rea will be eyeing up his first win of the 2023 season.