Jonathan Rea blamed set-up woes for his struggles during the British round of the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park.

Arriving at his home race eager to continue his momentum following a maiden World Superbike victory just a week earlier in Misano, Rea was put on the back foot from the word go following a crash during free practice.

Going on to qualify in 12th position, Rea made solid progress through the opening race, but was finding it hard to find speed in the tricky final section of the lap.

Eventually finishing seventh in that race, Rea's hopes of a better result in the second were ruined on the second lap when he fell at Goddards. A disappointing end to a tough weekend, Rea is now looking forward to the mid-season tests where he is hoping to continue improving his Ten Kate Honda.

“I knew we were going to struggle here, but I didn't think it would be this hard. Donington is a very difficult place to find the right set up because you have the fast-flowing first section and then a series of first-gear corners at the end of the lap. We changed quite a bit after the first race – the rear linkage and some other things.

“The bike was very different to ride but I was still struggling in the last sector where I've been having problems all weekend. And that's where I crashed – off the brake, off the throttle, and just lost the front. I picked it up and collected a point, which could be important at the end of the season.

“We'll aim to find a good base setting for this new suspension when we test at Imola in a couple of weeks, and take the rest of the season from there.”