The Kawasaki duo troops, with Jonathan Rea in the lead, arrived at Donington reassured by tests in Aragon having demonstrated some interesting developments on their Ninja, but without the slightest hope of reversing a situation which allows them to simply play top-notch extras . This is the reality of another Japanese manufacturer pushed into the shadows by Ducati in a world speed championship. The counter for the six-time title winner in the category reserved for production machines risks being stuck at 118 successes for a while longer. The Northern Irishman took his side. But at now 36, this kind of bad spiral hurts more.
Kawasaki was still able to spend a relatively good weekend at Donington thanks to the renewal of the contractAlex Lowes, preliminary to the pole position of Jonathan Rhea who stood on the third step of the podium in Race 1 and the Superpole Race. Unfortunately, the epilogue of Race 2 left a bitter taste for Rea who could only defend his place in the top 5 with a view to the finish. Outstripped by the BMW of Scott Redding and the Ducati deprived of Danilo Petrucci, he was not bragging when taking stock of this sixth stage of the WSBK championship…
« I would have been happier if the results had been reversed. It would have been nicer to end the day with a solid result ", declared the pilot Kawasaki about Sunday's race. “ I felt fantastic in the Superpole race. I pushed as hard as I could and I knew I had to get past quickly. I passed Alvaro on the inside of the first corner, then I drove as fast as I could ».
Jonathan Rea: “ evolutions ? Let's face it, we're talking about peanuts »
Yes, but … " On the penultimate lap I made a few mistakes and that put me within reach of Toprak who overtook me at the Melbourne hairpin. On the final lap, as I was planning to overtake Toprak in the final corner, Alvaro pulled up next to me at the chicane and parked his bike at the rope. I think given that we probably deserved a little more than third place, I am happy and disappointed at the same time ».
A mixed feeling which can be explained by this certainty that Jonathan Rea had within him from the start of his home meeting: “ I expected to be able to fight for the podium, not for the victories. I had a little more hope for the Superpole race, but in the second race I hoped to be closer to the winner. I go home satisfied, but I also think we could have done a little more ", said Sale on speedweek.
And he ends: “ the Aragon test was more forward-looking. What we were able to use here were new anti-wheelie and traction control settings. It worked, but let's face it, we're talking about peanuts ". Japanese manufacturers definitely have work to do.
