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may 27, 2018 - Kawasaki Racing

WorldSbk - Race 1 - Double Podium Finish For KRT’s Home Riders


Official KRT riders #jonathanrea and #tomsykes finished second and third respectively after the first 23-lap #worldsbk race of their home round at #donington Park in the UK.

Sykes had started from a record breaking 44th career pole position, with Rea just behind in the second place grid spot. In the race their Kawasaki battle for the win was eventually for second and third place, with Rea taking the runner-up spot.

In a race that appeared to be a start-to-finish KRT battle after the first few thrilling laps, Rea finally secured second place and finished just over a second from first time #worldsbk race winner Michael van der Mark. Rea led the first five laps of the race, before first Sykes and then van der Mark came past. Rea got past his team-mate finally on lap 17.

Sykes was 2.193 seconds from the victory in race one, and led the race in determined fashion from lap six to lap 14, before rear traction issues dropped his pace. He was still over four seconds ahead of the fourth place rider.

In what were dry and relatively warm conditions compared to a damp and chilly first day of track action on Friday, Rea secured his ninth podium of the year in race one, pushing himself 59 points ahead of his nearest championship rival, Chaz Davies, in the process.

Sykes drew himself to within 17 points of second ranked rider Davies after his third place finish at #donington, with Chaz finishing down in eighth place today.

Tomorrow’s 23-lap #worldsbk race is scheduled to start at 13.00, local time in the UK.

Jonathan Rea, stated: “The bike felt good to be honest but just in the middle to end the grip level dropped and I was having to override to try and make up, especially in the Craner Curves sector, where I was losing a lot to Mikey. In the more stop and sections I felt quite OK and I could be constant. He just had a better pace. Michael was riding well and his bike was working good but the first race gave us good information for tomorrow. In initial acceleration I felt quiet good but anywhere I was using a lot of lean angle, trying to carry momentum, I was really struggling. We just need to re-evaluate our package for tomorrow. I felt like I did the best job I could as at the end of the race the bike was becoming very physical to ride, moving a lot and I was riding a bit tense. It was not for us today.”

Tom Sykes, stated: “It was pretty good to get a new Superpole record. There is personal satisfaction because for me Superpole is all about pure speed, so you are the fastest guy in that moment. It is a nice record to have, and it is something to be personally proud of. In the race I just wanted to get into the lead and I had a lot better pace at the beginning. But for some reason in the middle of the race I started suffering with spinning the rear tyre. I think I managed that and I think we did the best we could. Michael had incredible grip and when he came through, away he went. So for tomorrow we have a little bit of work to do but a podium is nothing too shabby. Tomorrow I feel we can improve the bike and give it a better shot.”

2018 KRT Rider Statistics

Jonathan Rea: World Champion 2015, 2016 & 2017
2018: Races 11, Wins 5, Podiums 9, Superpoles 2
Career Race Wins: 59 (44 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 121 (79 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 16 (12 for Kawasaki)

Tom Sykes: World Champion 2013
2018: Races: 11, Wins 1, Podiums 5, Superpoles 2
Career Race Wins: 34 (34 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 105 (104 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 44 (44 for Kawasaki)

5 x Riders’ Championships (Scott Russell 1993, Sykes 2013, Rea 2015, 2016 & 2017), 1 x EVO Riders’ Championship (David Salom 2014)
3 x Manufacturers’ Championships (Ninja ZX-10R 2015 & 2016, Ninja ZX-10RR 2017)
3 x Teams’ Championships (KRT/Provec #racing 2015, 2016 & 2017)

Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics
Total Kawasaki Race Wins: 115 – third overall
Total Kawasaki Podiums: 362 – third overall
Total Kawasaki Poles: 77 – second overall


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