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A busy schedule ahead of Rea

Wednesday, 10 July 2013 16:12 GMT
A busy schedule ahead of Rea
Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) successfully completed a two-day test at Suzuka in preparation for the 8 Hours Endurance race that will take place later this month. The eni FIM Superbike World Championship rider lapped the challenging 5.807 km Japanese track on board the same F.C.C. TSR Honda CBR1000RR on which he won - with Kousuke Akiyoshi - the 20th edition of the race last year. Rea will be joined this time by former BSB team mate Ryuichi Kiyonari, who stepped in for the injured Akiyoshi at the last minute.


"It was good to test before Suzuka" said Jonathan Rea "because last year I had none, so I'm feeling positive about the race now. The bike is the same as 2012 but this year Kiyo will be my team mate so I hope we can have a great race and try to defend our title. The circuit is really nice but it's also really hot now, so riding conditions are very tough! Now I go back home to Isle of Man for a few days off, before leaving for Moscow to ride my CBR1000RR where I hope we can continue our podium form."


The Suzuka 8 Hours is scheduled for July 25-28, in between the Russian Round at Moscow Raceway and Rea's World Superbike home event at Silverstone.


The Ulsterman, like his WSBK peers, will then enjoy a well-deserved break before the series resumes on September 1st at Nurburgring, the first of four rounds in six weeks, and after nine months of waiting his newest fan is due to be born in the second half of the month.