CIA Landlords Insurance Honda’S Gino Rea finished a promising fifth in the first day of testing at Phillip Island in Australia on his return to the World Supersport Championship after a three-year absence. However, he will miss tomorrow’s second test day as he goes for surgery to remove a screw from his right foot.

A screw in Rea’s right foot started working its way loose and nearly broke through the skin during yesteday’s test. A result of a crash at Sepang in 2014, Gino will now have surgery to get the screw removed rather than ride today. It means he will be fully fit for the start of the opening round on Friday at Phillip Island.

Gino Rea said: “It feels good to be back in World Supersport and it’s been a productive first day given the circumstances with my foot. I could only do a limited run of laps. Even wearing a boot 2.5-sizes too big, it was still rubbing on the screw. I had to be so careful through the right-handers and couldn’t move my weight on the bike the way I wanted to either.

“Lap times were good as we didn’t chuck tyres at the bike and just worked on the base setting, clutch and electronics. It’s definitely the best WSS bike I’ve ever ridden.

“I am working on myself and learning the CIA Landlords Insurance Honda. I am comfortable with the lap times and will be happy to get the screw removed so I can be fully fit and ready for the opening round. It only started to work its way loose over the last couple of days.