Rea fastest in Portimao
Added on Monday, January 25th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor
Rea fastest in Portimao
Jonathan Rea got the upper hand on Leon Haslam on the final day of testing in Portimao yesterday as the pair battled away throughout the weekend at the top of the time charts.
Haslam was quickest in the early stages of the three day test on his Suzuki but Rea managed to chip away at his lead, posting a best combined time of 1:42.270 – a sizable 0.287 seconds ahead of his compatriot.
Haslam’s time of 1:42.557 was more than three tenths of a second ahead of Shane Byrne on the Althea Ducati in what was a solid weekend for the Brits, with Cal Crutchlow making the fourth fastest time on the Yamaha.
There were five Brits in the top six, with James Toseland two one-hundredths of a behind fifth fastest Michel Fabrizio.
The test was a struggle however for Noriyuki Haga on the Xerox Ducati, with the title favourite only managing the eighth fastest time overall.
Speaking after Sunday’s final session, Rea was understandably happy with the performance and claimed that the work done in Portugal was a strong foundation for mounting a title challenge.
“This test was a lot of fun, we worked through everything methodically and we are in good shape to begin the season,” said the 22 year old. “We got most of the big things like suspension spec, linkage and swing-arm teed off so now we can go to Phillip Island and fine-tune our racing. To say we are ready to go racing at Phillip Island, we’re not sure about that, but the bike is ready and now I plan to put the next three or four weeks to good use with my trainer and hopefully I’ll be ready. We’re all excited about the prospect of racing for a world championship.”
World Superbike Test, Portimao: Combined times.
| Pos | Num | Rider | Nat | Team | Time |
| 1 | 65 | J Rea | GBR | HANNspree Ten Kate Honda | 1:42.270 |
| 2 | 91 | L Haslam | GBR | Alstare Suzuki | -0.287 |
| 3 | 67 | S Byrne | GBR | Althea Racing Ducati | -0.607 |
| 4 | 35 | C Crutchlow | GBR | Sterilgarda Yamaha | -0.690 |
| 5 | 84 | M Fabrizio | ITA | Xerox Ducati | -0.867 |
| 6 | 52 | J Toseland | GBR | Sterilgarda Yamaha | -0.887 |
| 7 | 3 | M Biaggi | ITA | Aprilia Racing | -1.094 |
| 8 | 41 | N Haga | JAP | Xerox Ducati | -1.147 |
| 9 | 76 | M Neukirchner | GER | HANNspree Ten Kate Honda | -1.201 |
| 10 | 50 | S Guintoli | FRA | Alstare Suzuki | -1.238 |
| 11 | 7 | C Checa | SPA | Althea Racing Ducati | -1.359 |
| 12 | 2 | L Camier | GBR | Aprilia Racing | -1.479 |
| 13 | 11 | T Corser | AUS | BMW Motorrad | -1.661 |
| 14 | 77 | C Vermeulen | AUS | Kawasaki WSB | -1.838 |
| 15 | 66 | T Sykes | GBR | Kawasaki WSB | -2.095 |
| 16 | 111 | R Xaus | SPA | BMW Motorrad | -2.300 |
| 17 | 23 | B Parkes | AUS | ECHO CRS Honda | -2.481 |
| 18 | 31 | V Iannuzzo | ITA | Squadra Corse Italia Honda | -3.078 |
| 19 | 95 | R Hayden | USA | Team Pedercini Kawasaki | -4.720 |
| 20 | 12 | J Fores | SPA | Kawasaki | -5.023 |
