SBK, Rea: "With these Pirellis I can be even faster"

No-one seems able to stop him, particularly in light of the afternoon's race simulation. Twenty laps, consistently in the low 1’34s, proving that he is the favourite for tomorrow's race. Johnny Rea closes Friday at Buri Ram on top and now aims for the hat-trick in Race 1, set to start at 10am CET.

“I'm very pleased with the pace I had during the race simulation, because I've proved to be as competitive as I wanted to be and the work we've done has taken us in the right direction. We're confident going into Saturday”.

The tyres have also added to the performance.

“Pirelli has done an extraordinary job, with these tyres I can be even more competitive than in the past, they offer greater durability and consistency. Of course the bike has developed too, giving me more confidence”.

In 2016 the first session was one to forget for everyone.

“Last year got off to a really incredible start, you couldn't ride. You risked crashing at any moment. Fortunately it's different this time, the track conditions are good despite the rain yesterday. Maybe I have to do something more at turns three and seven, but I think we're in a good place”.

As well as your rivals, you have to deal with the heat

“We know the weather is no small obstacle here, but the race lasts just a little over half an hour so there's no danger of dehydration”.

Friday at Buri Ram is definitely tinged with green, with Johnny Rea followed by Tom Sykes. The Brit has taken a significant step forward, moving up into second place, ahead of the Ducatis of Davies and Melandri.

“I'm quite pleased because we've worked consistently. In the afternoon we made some changes that allowed me to get close to the front. Let's say I'm as competitive as I hoped to be looking ahead to the race”

You did better in terms of the flying lap in session two.

“It wasn't bad but I had the change the setting of the Kawasaki, to have more stability through certain sections. I know it'll be a real battle tomorrow, as well as Ducati there's Yamaha too, I'll try to stick with the leading group".