Heading to a circuit the Kawasaki Racing Team have a strong history around, team-mates Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes had are satisfied with their pace at the Pata UK Round, but understand which areas they need to improve.

Jonathan Rea completed the opening day on top, despite a small crash in the morning free practise session. Despite this it didn’t hold him back as he continued to set a fast pace, with a lap time of 1.27.740 set in the afternoon. With a few updates to make ahead of Superpole, the Northern Irishman is confident he will be out fighting ahead of Race One.

“I am reasonably happy for the first day,” Rea begins. “The bike seems to be in the ball park, it doesn’t seem to be turning so well, but aside from that the balance is pretty good. This morning we got the session cut shut and I made a mistake, everything was under control and I ran onto the grass and toppled over, aside from that session it went good. We started off with the race simulation, it wasn’t incredible but we have some things to work on. After that we put some new tyres in to understand our level when we push for a lap time. All in all it was positive.”

Team-mate Tom Sykes is coming out fighting around Donington Park, a circuit he has a remarkable record around. Winning the last eight races around the British track, Sykes is confident he can improve his pace tomorrow to ensure he is fighting for the victory.

Sykes is feeling happy overall with his Kawasaki machine under the British summer skies: “Today’s been consistent, haven’t got to the moment of going for a fast lap time yet but in general the ZX-10RR is working really well, in overall distance the tyres are working consistently, Pirelli have done a good job with the hot weather, overall the bike is working in the ball park, we definitely need to try and improve in a couple of areas tomorrow, I think I am satisfied for day one and its pretty much what I expected around Donington Park.”

Keep up with the Kawasaki rivalry as they take to the track for Superpole and Race One in the UK on Saturday, with all action shown live on the VideoPass.