Imola WSBK: Engine brake problem costs Rea again

Reigning World Superbike Champion again had to contend with a recurring engine brake issue during the opening World Superbike race one which cost him the chance to fight with Chaz Davies for the win at Imola.

Davies and Rea had pulled a four-second gap on Tom Sykes with seven laps gone but on the entry to Tosa, Rea ran wide and lost the tow to the Ducati man, and the recovery time allowed Kawasaki team-mate Sykes to get right back on his rear wheel.

Rea was able to keep the Huddersfield rider in check but could do nothing about poleman Davies who ended with a 3.4s advantage as he slowed in the final two laps.

“I ran into some problems with the bike, especially on the engine braking side with same locking I had in Aragon and Thailand which caused me to run on. It also happened a bit into the fast turn five and that took my confidence away a little bit,” said Rea, speaking at the track.

“Already the gap had gone, my confidence was down as it was inconsistent, sometimes it would happen, sometimes it wouldn’t. This bike is such a work in progress and we really need to understand why this problem is happening because as soon as we feel like we have made one step forward, we take one back.

“I am happy with my race. Second is good because this morning Chaz was on a different planet and I was quite happy just to be there in the race at the beginning. They have done a really good job and I was the best of the rest.

“We need to understand this problem. Basically, when I close the throttle and make my downshift, it’s like the engine completely locks and then it is impossible to go into the corner. It happened once in Thailand, once in Aragon and both times I lost a position. We need some time to understand, I am getting more and more frustrated with the problem. It seems like a glitch or a bug in the electronics, or I am doing something wrong with my downshift.

“With the engine character last year, we had no problems. This year, everything is a a little more aggressive and harder, but we need to find the problem so they can fix something or I can fix something to stop it.

“It seems like our potential this season isn’t as high as last season, which is frustrating as the bike is completely different. We keep believing there is more in the bike bike but it seems quite hard - for both riders and it’s more suited to Tom. It;s hard for both of us. It’s not time to panic just yet.”