SBK, Rea: "My tactic worked to perfection"

Superpole, Race 1 and Race 2. Johnny Rea could not have asked for more at Phillip Island. The Northern Irishman leaves Australia with full loot, just as he did a year ago. Despite his ninth position on the starting grid, the Kawasaki rider came back position by position, bringing home the double win. This is his 40th career win.

“I must say that winning two races in the final laps, on a track like Phillip Island, is always quite complicated. Especially when you think of the slipstreams. I’ll admit that I was a bit worried, because the other riders were able to study my lines and overtake me. In fact, I decided to change them and I think that was the right choice.”

In the finale you had another head to head with Davies.

“I tried to tighten up and do the last corner as cleanly as possible, in order to take full advantage of my speed coming out of the turn since the finish is quite a way off. At that point, Chaz should have stayed on the left, which would have been the worst line and he could no longer overtake me. I must say that the tactic worked.”

You managed your tyres in the best possible way.

“During the winter, we worked a lot on the tyres and wear. That was the biggest obstacle we needed to overcome – our weak point. I think that we have taken an important step forward and our performance this weekend demonstrates that.”

Did you expect Davies to be so fast?

“Chaz was very competitive today in the last sector, but so was my bike. I can say that I have much more peace of mind now with these two wins.”

You took full loot, but in any case Chaz is close compared to a year ago.

“I don’t think about the other riders, just about myself and not making any mistakes. The Championship is long, but I think I got off on the right foot, taking two important victories. If I have to look at the others, yesterday Melandri already left some important points on the ground.”

This is your 40th career win.

“This morning I rang my wife and asked her to bake a cake with the number 40. I think it’s a significant number.”