Gino Rea set to swap track for operating theatre

Gino Rea’s return to the WSS started in both productive and painful fashion, with the English rider in the CIA Landlords Insurance Racing Team getting used to a WSS Honda again after two seasons in Moto2.

A recent right foot injury, which has multiple plates and screws holding it together, caused him so much trouble he will skip the second day of testing so he can have a surgical procedure.

“I have broken metatarsals in my right foot and have two plates and pins in it,” said Rea. “Just before I flew out I was doing some training and the screws started to unwind, and are rubbing against the skin. After the first session here one screw has wound itself out more. I am going to have an operation tomorrow instead of testing.”

Rea tried to make allowances for his injury, and even scored a top five placing on day one, but he knows he needs to sacrifice a day on track make sure he can compete on the race weekend. “Because I was using a boot that is two and half sizes bigger than my normal one I can just about get around right hand corners. Considering all this to be fifth was not too bad. It was a productive day, but we did not so as many laps as we wanted. I will get an operation and I should be back better on Friday.”

Gino, who used to race a Honda in WSS, found his latest bike familiar in at least some regards. “There are quite a few things to get used to, to get my head around,” said Rea. “Tyres, traction control, they are the main things really. I have ridden a similar bike before so it was a good first day, considering.”