Rea collects 'mega' debut win.

The HM Plant Honda rider had qualified on pole position, but finished Sunday's opening race, won by Leon Haslam, back in a fourth place. However, a better tyre choice for race two allowed the 20-year-old to overcome both Haslam and Shane Byrne to finally stand on the top step of the BSB podium.

"It feels mega!" Rea told Crash.net Radio. "But it's not just me; it's down to the whole team. It was a pity we made a mistake and picked the wrong tyre in race one, but we made up for it in race two. We should have maximised today, we didn't, but I'm just happy to win at home and then move on to Knockhill and Croft, both strong tracks for me, and keep bridging that gap to the championship lead.

"Leon came past me at one stage, then I passed him back, but when Shakey came past he made a little bit of a break," recalled Rea. "When I saw what he was doing I caught right back up, passed him eventually won by a few seconds. I just had a bit more tyre left at the end. Everything went well. I said 'a race win is a race win, but flip me I've worked a lot harder for second place than I have for this win!' It's a long time coming but now it's here I'm really glad.

"They say after your first win it's a bit easier to win again, but we'll just keep our heads down - it doesn't really matter about race wins, as long as we keep bridging the gap to the front of the championship we'll be alright.

"The win itself doesn't actually feel that special - I just want it more and more and more! One win isn't enough really. To do it here at home is a little bit special - although like I said a double would have been nice! I'm just super happy and feel pretty humble - I keep repeating myself, but it's down to the whole team and everybody involved. It's a pleasure to work with them."

However, with first practice for the British Grand Prix, where Rea will ride a Team Roberts KR212V, taking place on Friday morning - before which Johnny has to visit the factory, make a chat show appearance and then ride at a Superbike test - there was no time for any post-race partying.

"Unfortunately I've got a very early boat trip to get to the Roberts factory in Banbury on Monday morning, to set up my levers," he said. "Then, to give you a little insight into my schedule, Tuesday I'm doing a chat show; Wednesday and Thursday I'm Superbike testing at Cadwell; Friday, Saturday and Sunday is MotoGP; Sunday night I fly to Japan for two days testing and then I'll arrive at Knockhill on Thursday night at 11pm. The next two weeks are pretty hard, but hopefully I'll be alright..."