Rea breaks femur, says lack of flags 'unbelievable'

Jonathan Rea has described the lack of oil flags at the point where he suffered a huge accident towards the end of the first World Superbike race at the Nurburgring as 'unbelievable' as he prepares to undergo surgery to correct his broken femur.

The Ulsterman, along with Leon Camier, suffered a spectacular accident on the penultimate lap of the first race whilst running in fourth position, Rea hitting oil deposited by Federico Sandi's Pedericini Kawasaki, which had expired a lap earlier.

With no apparent oil flags being waved at one of the fastest points on the circuit, Rea - who was conscious throughout the dramatic tumble - has been left with a broken femur, one that threatens to keep him on the sidelines, even if no recovery period has been speculated as yet.

"I've felt better, but I'm hoping to get the leg pinned later tonight [Sunday] so hopefully I can be home in a few days and start the recovery as soon as possible," he said. "It's unbelievable what was happening with the flags in the race because I saw an oil flag at turn six but then nothing at turn seven or after that.

"I went down at the fast left at turn eight and, unfortunately, I stayed conscious throughout so I can remember everything. I was feeling pretty good before then and, although I didn't have the pace to pass the guys in front, it was clear I had the best package and, although it was late in the race, I still had good grip levels. Until I hit the oil."