Catalunya Round Next For Rea
Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki Racing Team will race on familiar ground this weekend, September 23-25, when round eight of the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship visits Circuit de Barcelona - Catalunya. The 4.657km circuit is situated a few hundred metres from team’s workshop on the outskirts Granollers, 30km north east of Barcelona city centre.
A few weeks prior to the season restarting at the last round in Magny-Cours, France, Jonathan and the KRT squad undertook a successful two-day test at the Catalan circuit. This afforded the team the opportunity to carry out the normal development process on the Ninja ZX-10RR race machine but also to fine tune race set-up ahead of this weekend’s event.
For his part, Rea is playing a full part in a remarkable three-way fight for the 2022 WorldSBK championship, with Alvaro Bautista (Ducati), Toprak Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) and Rea covered by 47 points after 21 individual races. With five full rounds remaining, including Barcelona, there is still everything to play for in a season which has seen frequent changes in fortune for the top three riders.
The race weekend at Circuit de Barcelona - Catalunya will follow the usual European schedule for WorldSBK events (GMT +2):
Friday, September 23:
Free Practice 1 - 10:30 - 45 minutes
Free Practice 2 - 15:00 - 45 minutes
Saturday, September 24:
Free Practice 3 - 09:00 - 30 minutes
Superpole Qualifying - 11:10 - 15 minutes
WorldSBK Race 1 - 14:00 - 20 laps
Sunday, September 25:
Warm-up - 09:30 - 15 minutes
Tissot Superpole Race - 11:00 - 10 laps
WorldSBK Race 2 - 14:00 - 20 laps
“I am really looking forward to the Barcelona Race because we had a great test there a few weeks ago, where I felt comfortable on the bike. We were fast and consistent. We worked on our pace in hot conditions. It has always been a difficult circuit for us there. I haven’t had too much success at Barcelona so I am looking forward to turning that around. It is my team’s home race, so I am looking forward to seeing many friendly faces around the paddock, team sponsors and local fans. I spend a lot of time in that area so it feels like a second home to me. After a difficult Magny Cours it is important that we are able to rebound in a good way and score some points. Since we restarted the season at Magny Cours these races are coming along in quick succession, so it is really important to be healthy, strong and consistent from now until the end of the season.”