Pata Honda’s Jonathan Rea set the second fastest combined time in yesterday’s three timed World Superbike free practice sessions at the Losail circuit in Qatar, and his team and the rider have been working hard on weight distribution and spring balance, and it appears whatever they changed has worked.

Rea was just 0.1 seconds behind Ducati’s Davide Giugliano in the overall times, and was under lap record pace in FP3, even out-pacing title challengers, Aprilia’s Sylvain Guintoli and Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes in the process. But the Northern Irishman is enjoying his time under the floodlights, and wants to race under lights and in the dark at every race.

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“Before coming here, I haven’t been a fan of three sessions in one day and it’s been a tough day. To have three sessions and finish this late at night is quite difficult but we’ve worked really hard on weight distribution and spring balance,” said Rea.

“We’re still trying to find the optimum session because I’m still struggling to finish off the corner in some areas. But overall the package seems really good here and I’m really enjoying riding.

“Hence the reason I put so many laps in. I’m learning every time I go out because it’s quite a different experience riding under the lights. But I’m just so happy to be out there because I feel like a Supercross rider. I wish I could ride under lights every race.”