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Ten Kate celebrates first double SBK podium

Wednesday, 29 July 2009 08:04 GMT
Ten Kate celebrates first double SBK podium
The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team enjoyed its first ever double podium finish in round 10 of the 2009 World Superbike championship at Brno as Carlos Checa and Jonathan Rea finished race one in second and third positions respectively (photo). It was the first time since the Ten Kate squad began Superbike racing in 2004 that it has had two riders on the same podium. Rea was able use his strong results to strengthen his grip on fourth place in the points table in his rookie World Superbike season.


"We managed to grind out a good result in Superpole and we did the same in race one" declared Rea. "The team dug really deep to put us back on the podium after a really slow start to the weekend. Of course, two riders crashing in front helped us get some good points but we were with the leading guys when it happened. All in all, it's been a good couple of races for us so we head into the summer break going in the right direction and I'm looking forward to recharging the batteries before we come back fighting again at Nurburgring in September.


"Race one was a good result from a job well done. I got a good start and had a good pace" said Checa. "I felt very comfortable throughout the race and knew from my boards that I had a gap back to Jonathan. We have more understanding of the bike now and we were able to improve it from yester day. Unfortunately, I had some chatter return during race two, especially when releasing the brake, which was strange. But it was a positive weekend and we were able to run with the leading riders from the opening practice session on Friday."