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Game on: Jonathan Rea is hot for the title fight. Photo credit: Getty Images
James Robinson
World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea says he’s spurred on by the challenge he faces for his crown from terrible title opponent Toprak Razgatlioglu.
The six-time champion is seven points behind the Yamaha rider ahead of today’s opening race (2:15 p.m. BST) in the ninth round of the series in Catalonia in Barcelona.
Rea is aiming for the incredible seventh year in a row to win the title, but faces his arguably the biggest test so far against the 24-year-old Turkish rider, who led the times in free practice yesterday.
Rea, the second fastest and just 0.050 seconds behind his rival, said his mindset would remain unchanged while the championship turned into one crucial phase enters, with Catalonia announcing the first of three consecutive weekends – the first time the WSBK series has had a trio of consecutive rounds since Jan. 999.
Rea said: “Not much changes. We have to do our best every weekend and it is clear that Toprak is the guy – together with his team they did a great job.
« To be honest, I like this position. I have the feeling that I am even seen as an outsider, I had that in 2019 (with Alvaro Bautista) and when I have made this mental change in my head, you can accept that it is not going in your direction.
“Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves, hang in, and that’s a cool feeling; Hopefully we can start this weekend. ”
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With a total of five planned laps, albeit with a question mark on the last race weekend on the new Mandalika circuit in Indonesia in November, Rea’s goal is to build momentum this weekend and to place some important points on the board .
“We’re just going to try to build some momentum; the two new tracks on the calendar this year in Navarra and Most were very difficult laps for us, « he said.
» In Magny-Cours we were able to build up some momentum and I felt good with the bike, I could go with it Toprak fighting for race wins, but just not enough.
“So we’ll try to continue this momentum here, I’m enjoying the track and we’ve been testing quite a bit here. We’ve made some good progress on this type of track and our ZX-10RR has a lot of mechanical traction and we’ve been very good with tire usage in the last few races so I expect to be able to fight for the front; Let’s see what happens on Saturday and Sunday, « added the 34-year-old.
» Until the race starts, you never really know where you’re going to pile up – that’s the beauty of World Superbikes.
“Last time I felt really good in the first race, but in the second race we had a problem with the bike so I couldn’t show my full potential. But I’ve been there more or less the whole weekend and it will take time.
“You have to be at your best every single weekend and since these three weekends are in a row, it’s important to start well and try to get a to build a good feeling with the motorcycle. ”
Eugene Laverty is absent again this weekend because his BMW Team RC Squadra Corse is no longer taking part in races. The 2013 championship runner-up has been trying to figure out his future after another frustrating season.
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