Rea credits ‘characteristic changes’ of Kawasaki, improved working ‘window'

Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea already has a commanding championship lead of 35 points over Toprak Razgatlioglu heading into this weekend’s round three at Misano. 

While it may be no surprise to most that Rea leads the championship, the fashion in which he’s done so has been mightily impressive. 

The Northern Irishman has taken four wins from six races so far - two apiece in Aragon and Estoril - including a much improved performance at the latter, which was his worst venue last year. 

The WorldSBK championship returns to Misano for the first time since 2019 after cancelling last year’s event due to the Covid-19 global pandemic. 

Rea’s last race weekend in Misano was much like the first two of this season as it yielded two wins from three races. 

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s FP1 start, Rea said: "I am excited to go to Misano especially after we missed the race there last year. The first few races have been good. 

"We have been able to change the characteristics of our Ninja ZX-10RR at Estoril and it really improved the size of the ‘window’ and we will continue to try these ideas. 

"We are right into the thick of the summer months now and I think all the work we have been doing last season and during the off-season, focusing on the hot temperatures and being easy on the tyre, is really coming into its own. 

"Misano is a quite flat track and with it being resurfaced a few years ago it gave me a strange feeling when we tested there last year. But, we were still able to be fast. I’m looking forward to the challenge this weekend and seeing all our great fans back trackside again."