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The day after brings the bitter realisation of a missed opportunity. Johnny Rea dreamed of putting the Kawasaki back on the top step of the Suzuka podium, after a 25-year long fast. The signs were all there, after he set the fastest time in qualifying ahead of Sunday's race.
But there were two key moments that conditioned the Cannibal's final result. The first was the team's error in calculating fuel consumption, which forced the three-time champ to return to the garage. The second his crash on slick tyres under the safety car, just as heavy rain was falling on the track.
Rea explains: “Several times, along the central straight, I raised my hand to ask the team for a tyre change - the rider told our Speedweek colleagues – but they told me to stay on track and not to come in”. As for the crash: “I didn't expect it, also because I was going at low speed and didn't make any sudden movements. I crashed without warning but luckily I didn't hurt myself and brought the bike back to the garage. A pity because the crash came a delicate moment”.
Johnny continues, cutting to the chase: “I was lacking some experience in this kind of race, but at the same time I should have trusted my instincts and come into the pits, going against the team's request to stay out. I'm disappointed, but pleased I reached the podium, proving that we had the speed to win”.
Rea will now enjoy a well-earned break before returning to the track for the Portimao WorldSBK round in mid-September.
