Assen WSBK - 'Mixed day' for Rea

Pata Honda rider Jonathan Rea did not have the best start to his World Superbike campaign at Assen today. Rea set the seventh fastest time in the opening first qualifying session, but before that had a frustrating morning with a technical issue that prevented him completing more than a handful of laps in wet conditions. 

Rea’s Pata Honda team-mate, Leon Haslam, did not take part in qualifying after crashing in the morning free practice session, in which the 29-year-old British rider sustained a fractured leg. 

“It’s been a really mixed day for me. The first session was a bit pointless, and we had a problem with the machine that we couldn’t diagnose so I did three out and in laps, but the session was wasted without a timed lap.

“Session two was better and we discovered the problem was in the front of the bike and I had a lot more feeling, but at the end of the session I still needed more contact feeling with the rear, especially when I go off the gas.” Said the Honda rider. 

Rea hopes that weather conditions improve tomorrow, so that he can be more competitive on his bike. But the Northern Irishman thoughts turn to fellow Brit and team-mate, Haslam, and hopes for a speedy recovery for the Smalley resident. 

“I hope the weather gets better, not just for me but for the fans who come here to Assen for the weekend. If it’s wet, we need to work in this direction tomorrow, but I hope it’s dry. I want to send my best wishes to my team-mate Leon. He had a pretty bad crash this morning and he’s now in hospital waiting for an operation so I hope he bears up well.”

By WSBK Desk

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