Rea: “Engine braking strategy key to success at Donington”

Jonathan Rea made an encouraging start to the Donington Park race weekend after finishing second fastest at the end of the opening first qualifying session. Since the start of the season the team have had to overcome set-up problems of an all new HRC derived electronics system, but now five rounds in Rea believes the bike is close to where he wants it to be.

Speaking to MCN. He said: “At Monza I felt that I had a chassis and electronics package as good as anyone else out there. It came from work we did at the Assen race and then a private test the following week. I believe now that while on big, fast horsepower tracks we’ll still be handicapped, at other circuits we should be in a position to fight for race wins and the podium.”

Last year Rea was strong at Donington Park securing fourth in race one before winning race two after a dramatic final corner incident involving Leon Haslam and Marco Melandri.

“Compared to last year the bike is stronger – especially the throttle connection.  Engine braking is really key to being fast here at Donington, especially in the last part of the lap. The way I can get into the corners will make a big difference with the lap time. “