Donington WSB: Rea optimistic despite painful high side

Misano race winner, Jonathan Rea came down to earth with a bump after a difficult opening day at round nine of the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park.

Within three laps of the opening free practice session, Rea high sided his Ten Kate Honda on the exit of the Melbourne loop resulting in a badly battered and bruised left hip.

Speaking to MCN, He said: “The bike was squatting a bit too much on the rear when we went out which was causing me to run wide. I exited the Melbourne Loop but ran onto the grass and it high sided me.

“It was a big crash because I was accelerating hard in second gear on the straight. I landed on my hip pretty hard and the pain is bad.”

Rea received treatment in the Clinica Mobile and returned to the track this afternoon where he secured the 15th fastest time in the rain hit session.

He said: “We run a different rear link for the wet and the dry. As the track dried I came in to change something simple but the team wanted to make a bigger change and for me to go out on my other bike.

“I lost a couple of laps on track as a result and dropped down a bit. It’s been one of those days where nothing has gone right.

“I usually have one shit day on a race weekend so hopefully that’s it out of the way. I’m not a million miles away and I’m optimistic for tomorrow.”