Jonathan Rea showed during the last tests in Jerez that the defeat in the 2021 championship against Toprak Razgatlioglu had in no way diminished his speed. The time even came quite easily and yet, at Kawasaki, we recognized that they had not brought anything revolutionary for the ZX-10R. But it turns out quickly and well, and perhaps the explanation lies with Pirelli…
The crew Kawasaki was evaluated in December and in recent days at Jerez for the 2022 season and she left satisfied. Two occasions which allowed Jonathan Rhea to establish his confidence a little more. However, listening to him, there was nothing special to say about his Ninja with known weapons: “ we evaluated some details of the chassis, some electronic strategies, Pirelli has brought a new tire… » commented the Northern Irishman. Exactly, this new tire…
Kawasaki faced the problem last year that more and more riders were using the SCX tire, offered for the sprint event, also in the main race, while Jonathan Rhea et Lowes still had to use the classic racing tire. This is also a reason, but not the only one, why Sale lost to Toprak Razgatlioglu and his Yamaha at the 2021 Superbike World Championship.
The new tire SCQ announced by Pirelli could change the balance of power again, because this tire is designed to last a maximum of ten laps. alex lowes speaks of it thus: “ I like it when the tire wears out towards the end of the race. The only problem was that most Yamahas with the SCX could still use all their performance after 23 laps In the past we were more competitive with the SC0 racing tire than the SCX. On the other hand, with the qualifying tire our bike runs great and I guess the SCQ is in between now ».
A Jerez, Jonathan did a simulated race: “ We have already done a race simulation, not because everything is set, but because we have new features that we need to test on long runs. I was reluctant to do it. But when we finished I felt good he says. " Of course, we have to test again on another circuit. Basically, we have a week off, then we will be in Portimão at the beginning of February. I can't wait to get there and see how the 2022 version of our ZX-10RR performs ».
Jonathan Rea: “we don't have much to evaluate regarding the engine"
In Portugal, it will also be the first time that KRT will share the track with its clan counterparts Ducati et Yamaha . " We will, once again, have elements of the chassis to test ", precise Sale on the site WSBK regarding the tests planned for February 8 and 9. " We don't have much to evaluate regarding the engine. I think for electronics we still need to work hard on some strategies ».
« Other than that, I need to practice starts because there is something different in our setup that I need to improve. They were okay, but nothing more. They were much better in the past, so we are trying to improve. My starting attempts were not very good, so I need to improve on this point he acknowledges.
Then Jonathan Rhea finished : " I think it's the first time we'll be with everyone. So we'll see. We only tested with Honda, they rode very well, but we have to refer to the others: the Ducati, the Yamaha, the BMW. That will be a good measure. I like the track, the place and I hope we will have a good feeling ».
