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august 01, 2022 - Kawasaki Racing

Double Podium Day For Rea

Jonathan Rea (KRT) put in two strong performances in the Sunday #WorldSBK races at #Most to take two more podium trophies home before the summer break begins. Alex Lowes (KRT) tried to compete in both races today but illness and then a Race One fall ended his weekend early.

In the ten-lap Superpole Race on Sunday morning Rea had a superbly entertaining battle at the front with eventual winner Toprak Razgaltioglu. As the pair swapped the lead on the final lap one last attempted overtake from Rea saw him squeeze past Razgatlioglu on the inside but have to run wide on the exit, finally taking to the gravel run off area. He retained control and rejoined the race in second place, taking a podium finish ahead of championship leader Alvaro Bautista.

Lowes fell at Turn 10 early in the Superpole Race after deciding to ride, despite a debilitating intestinal infection that saw him miss the morning warm-up session. He crashed in Race One and it was decided he should not ride in the final full distance #Most race.

In the 22-lap Race Two Rea was in the thick of the action once again, but he had to pass a few battling riders in the early laps to get into podium contention. Eventually the race became an exciting three-way fight between the three main championship contenders.

Rea led across the start/finish line on two different occasions but at the end of 22 intense laps he ended up in third place, securing more championship points and leaving the first half of the season behind in confident mood.

Jonathan is still second overall in the championship points after #Most. Bautista has 298, Rea 267 and Razgatlioglu 260. Alex is eighth, with 113 points.

The #WorldSBK paddock will now have a long summer break until Round Seven at Magny Cours in France between September 9-11. Before then, Rea, Lowes and several KRT team members will head to the Suzuka 8 Hours EWC Round in Japan, alongside regular BSB rider Leon Haslam.

Jonathan Rea, stated: “The Superpole race was going well and I had pretty good rhythm. On the last lap I knew I had felt strong in Turn 15 during the race, compared to Toprak, but he did a completely different line than the other laps. He was on the defensive, with his leg off the footpeg. I tried to miss his foot and I went inside, and of course had to compromise my own line. There was enough gravel to slow me down, rejoin and keep my position. I enjoyed the fight and we improved the braking compared to yesterday. In Race Two the beginning was a mess, especially as Bassani and Rinaldi were going at it for the first two laps. I was conscious of letting Alvaro and Toprak going away out front so I passed Bassani and Rinaldi went out in T1. Then it was race on and I could be there. In general I felt quite good until maybe six or seven laps from the end. I was getting everything out of the bag and I was having some front slides, some chatter at lean angle, and the bike was moving quite a lot. It was very physical to ride so their pace at the end was just better than mine, I could not do much more. But no regrets because the bike set-up was better than yesterday, we definitely made an improvement - especially compared to last year at #Most. I felt much more in control and I enjoyed the bike and circuit this year, just not enough. Congratulations to both Toprak and Alvaro; it was a very solid race.”

Alex Lowes, stated: “Yeah it’s a big shame to be ill and not able to ride in Race Two. I’m really sad and frustrated about it. I actually had good speed and pace on the bike all weekend but unfortunately I wasn’t able to perform how I wanted. For someone who prizes himself on preparation and fitness it’s really hard to accept weekends like this. But now my focus turns to resting and getting better before the Suzuka 8 Hours. We have a short turnaround and a lot of travel so I need to try to relax.”

Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was 12th and then ninth on the final day in the Czech Republic and is 14th overall.

Oliver König (Orelac #racing VerdNatura) crashed in the Superpole race but came within one place of taking a point in Race Two at his home circuit.

Ryan Vickers (TPR Team Pedercini #racing Kawasaki) no scored after crashing in the Superpole Race but was a very creditable 17th in Race Two.

2022 KRT Rider #WorldSBK Statistics

Jonathan Rea: World Champion 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020
2022: Races 18, Wins 5, Podiums 15, Superpoles 3
Career Race Wins: 117 (102 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 230 (188 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 38 (34 for Kawasaki)

Alex Lowes:
2022: Races: 17, Wins 0, Podiums 1, Superpoles 0
Career Race Wins: 2 (1 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 30 (10 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 1 (0 for Kawasaki)

8 x Riders’ Championships (Scott Russell 1993, Tom Sykes 2013, Rea 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020), 1 x EVO Riders’ Championship (David Salom 2014)
6 x Manufacturers’ Championships (Ninja ZX-10R 2015 & 2016, Ninja ZX-10RR 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020)
5 x Teams’ Championships (KRT/Provec #racing 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019)

Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics
Total Kawasaki Race Wins: 176 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Podiums: 505 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Poles: 103 – second overall

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