WorldSBK Racing Returns For Rea At Imola
The 2019 FIM Superbike World Championship returns to action this weekend after a four week break at the iconic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy.
Current world Champion Jonathan Rea will be looking to repeat his performance from 12 months ago when he took an impressive double victory at the 4.936km circuit. Rea has an enviable individual record at Imola where he has scored seven race wins from a total of 12 podiums, making it one of the most successful venues on his WorldSBK palmarés.
With 11 podium finishes so far this season, Rea comes to this fifth round of the 2019 campaign second in the overall standings on 183 points.
This weekend free practice will begin at 10:30 (GMT +2) on Friday morning. There will be two, 19 lap races at 14:00 on Saturday and Sunday with the 10 lap Tissot Superpole Race being run at 11:00 on Sunday morning.
There is another four week gap after this race weekend before the teams and riders head to Circuito de Jerez in Andalucia, Spain for round six on the weekend of June 8-9, 2019
Jonathan Rea, stated: “I had a great few weeks’ rest at home, and I am re-charged and ready to attack this mid-part of the season. After four rounds we have understood and evaluated where we are and where we need to improve. So we approach Imola trying to make another step in terms of my riding and also the performance of the bike. The circuit is incredible and I love racing at Imola, because it is steeped in history and from a rider’s point of view it is a fun track to ride. It is very unique with a lot of undulations and you really need to feel at one with your bike to push on the limit there. I am very excited for FP1 just to understand our performance, if we can be competitive, which I am sure we can be. I will work with my team throughout Friday to give us a bike to compete. I see Imola as a track where we can be really competitive and last year we had a great season, so I feel like it is the time in my season where we can try to change the momentum of the championship. Imola gives us a good opportunity to do that.”