Promising Pace For Rea In Estoril

Jonathan Rea finished Friday Free Practice in the top ten at Circuito Estoril today as rain drenched the Portuguese Riviera making conditions difficult for all riders. The penultimate round of the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship returned to Estoril after a two-year hiatus from the WorldSBK calendar.

The aim for Rea was to get up to speed quickly in Estoril during the two 45-minute Free Practice sessions but rain overnight and this morning led to a wet FP1. Free Practice 2 started in predominantly dry conditions but the rain retuned in the final minutes hampering any final set up choices for the #65 Pata Prometeon crew. 

More inclement weather is predicted for tomorrow, which could potentially provide opportunities for those who feel confident in the wet.  Free Practice 3 takes place at 09:00 (GMT +1) before Superpole qualifying at 11:00 and WorldSBK Race 1 at 14.00

Jonathan Rea: P10 – 1'38.572

“It’s been a strange day weather-wise, because this morning was fully wet – we got a chance to try the bike and understand the track, but it’s always difficult to learn too much on Day 1 in the rain because it’s completely different to the dry rhythm. This afternoon, we had some dry time and I felt quite okay with the bike. We started with the harder rear tyre, just to get up to speed and we had a few “in and outs” to make some changes – then when we were ready to put the package together it started raining. We never got the chance to confirm my R1 set up with our preferred race tyre, but I think the general feeling and feedback from the bike was positive. Tomorrow’s about seeing how the weather is! Right at the very end, I got the chance to do a practice race start and it was my best start ever, so that’s also positive – let’s see how we go tomorrow.”