Navarra draws Misano comparison from WSBK riders, turn one ‘is big balls’ - Rea

Two of WorldSBK’ fastest riders Jonathan Rea and Garrett Gerloff give their verdict on Navarra circuit ahead of its inaugural round - use Misano and Portimao as comparisons, while ‘corner one is big balls’ - Rea. 
Garrett Gerloff and Jonathan Rea after race incident, Aragon WorldSBK Race2, 2021
Garrett Gerloff and Jonathan Rea after race incident, Aragon WorldSBK…
© Gold and Goose

As WorldSBK heads into the second of its two inaugural rounds this season, Jonathan Rea and Garrett Gerloff have shared their thoughts about the Spanish layout. 

It’s a circuit that features six first gear corners - the most on the current calendar, while boosting a turn one that is taken in sixth gear with Superbike machinery. 

The layout is an uncharacteristic and unique one, however, several riders including Rea and Gerloff both used Misano and Portimao as comparisons. 

Rea added: "Corner one is big balls! It’s sixth gear, tipping in there and it’s like no other corner in the world, that’s why it’s unique. 

"It’s almost like tipping into Curvone at Misano. The last bit is like Portimao with the kink, kink and then hairpin. It’s not difficult to go fast here, but it’s difficult to go really fast. 

"Those last tenths are very difficult to find because the circuit is so tight and very technical."

Gerloff, who secured three top ten finishes at Most last time out, will be eager to push on and claim a second podium of the year given Yamaha is arguably the best package out there. 

If the American is to claim a podium finish this weekend, it will come at a circuit that ‘reminds me of a go-kart track’. 

Gerloff said: "It’s definitely an interesting layout! There are some places that remind me of Misano, for example, and maybe Portimao. 

"It’s definitely its own thing, it has its unique characteristics. I think I’m in first gear six times around the track so it’s definitely tight, kind of reminds me of a go-kart track a little bit."

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