Jonathan Rea without the slightest regret but with a lot of frustrations took stock of the first WSBK race in Argentina. A competition which was a new defeat for the Kawasaki official against Toprak Razgatlioglu who set another milestone in his glorious path to the world title. The Northern Irishman foresaw this outcome, having confronted his employer with his technical responsibilities before the race. He did it again by congratulating himself on the only positive thing he found on his ZX-10R this Saturday: its livery commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Akashi brand...
Jonathan Rhea thus began his summary of a first race in San Juan at the end of which he dropped five additional points on his Turkish rival in Yamaha who is moving slowly but surely towards the world title: “ let's talk about positive things: our design for this Saturday », Launched Johnny inconsolably during the conference. “ Alpinestars and the team did a great job, Arai gave me a different helmet for the race. At first I was angry because my leathers, boots and gloves were going to be too tight. I like when things are worn. So I made Biel Roda and Fabien Foret wear my leather suit so they could stretch it ". The design of Sale reminiscent of the Kawasaki of Scott Russell in AMA Superbike 30 years ago.
Jonathan Rea: “ I have no regrets, I did my best«
But even so made comfortable in its new leather suggesting the old days, Sale remained powerless in the face of Razgatlioglu. The Turk took the lead from the start and was able to build a good 5 second lead in 21 laps. The pilot Yamaha won for the twelfth time in this season of WSBK and extended his championship lead to Sale at 29 points: “ his pace was very fast, I was at the limit “, declared the vanquished. “ He was able to widen the gap, for me it was more about consolidating my position. I didn't have to think about challenging him, he was extraordinary. I have to congratulate him, he and his team did a great job ».
Sale had missed 30 of the 45 minutes of the FP2 after a crash on Friday and was therefore unable to do a long run with the SCX soft rear tire during the practice session. But he responds curtly to this remark in order to dismiss his share of responsibility for this result: “ it would not have changed the result. But I would have been much stronger. We had to make big changes to the settings, even between Superpole and the race. If we learn from this race, we can be closer on Sunday. Honestly, I have no regrets, I did my best ". And Kawasaki ?
Superbike San Juan – Race 1:
