SBK | Portuguese GP Race 1, Rea: "The first two escaped, I wasn't fast enough"

SBK Portuguese GP Kawasaki – Jonathan Rea finished Race 1 of the Portuguese Grand Prix, the penultimate stage of the 2023 world championship, in third position.

In qualifying, Rea scored his 43rd career pole position, the same number as Troy Corser. At the start of Race 1, Rea touched the rear tire of Alvaro Bautista, the future winner, and was pushed out. Jonathan lost positions and dropped to sixth, rejoining the leading group and re-entering the battle for the podium. Spectacular first laps saw six riders battling in the lead group, with Rea finishing in third place halfway through the race. The Briton then lost ground to the leading duo, finishing with his 17th podium of the year.

Statements Jonathan Rea Portuguese GP

“It was great to win another Superpole. It was a good lap but it was strange because it didn't feel like a pole position lap because there were some mistakes. At the end of the session there were a lot of yellow flags, so I made my time early. It was also good for Alex to be on the front row and it was good for the team. In the race I struggled at the beginning because I collided with Bautista at the start. Luckily I stayed on the bike and then had to regain position on the track. The pace, for me, was just too fast. I wasn't able to do 1'40 laps. I did low 1'41s all weekend. So the first two were just running away and then in the last half of the race I struggled on corner exit. The rear tire was spinning. So there is room for improvement and hopefully tomorrow we can get a little closer."