Jonathan Rea is ready to return to racing at this weekend’s WorldSBK Italian Spherical at Cremona Circuit on 2–4 Could, the Northern Irish rider saying he’s “super-excited” to be coming again after a number of months on the sidelines by means of damage.
Rea crashed throughout the last World Superbike preseason check of the yr at Phillip Island again in mid-February, struggling a number of fractures in his left foot.
Rea says the damage was “much more severe than first anticipated,” however after greater than two months he’s now just a few days away making his return.
“I’m tremendous excited to return again in Cremona after the damage sustained in Phillip Island,” Rea stated forward of this weekend’s Italian Spherical.
“It seems like a very lengthy couple of months, however within the final three-to-four weeks I’ve maximised regaining power and performance of my left foot. The damage was much more severe than first anticipated and I simply need to thank everyone that was behind me to get again on observe, particularly the followers and all of the messages of encouragement.”
Rea added that, regardless of the day out and his absence from Cremona final yr, he feels able to make his return.
“I really feel assured and prepared – Cremona is a observe that I haven’t raced at earlier than however I used to be in a position to spin a number of laps in testing final season.
“I’m simply so completely happy to be again with my staff and driving my Yamaha R1. Since I’ve been away the staff has made some nice enhancements and achieved incredible outcomes with Locatelli together with his first win in Assen, so I’m actually motivated to start out – to grasp what my stage is and work from there.
“Can’t wait to see everyone, trying ahead to driving once more with a smile on my face and making an attempt to have an excellent weekend in Cremona.”
Rea’s return can be a lift for the Pata Yamaha staff, a squad in a powerful second after Andrea Locatelli’s maiden victory at Assen two weeks in the past.
“Jonathan [Rea] will probably be again with us after placing a lot dedication into his restoration from a very nasty damage,” added Pata Yamaha Workforce Principal Paul Denning.
“He’s demonstrated how badly he nonetheless desires to race and to compete to win, so it is a good signal for the remainder of the season.
“Cremona isn’t the best observe to return again at, and we have to deal with this as a primary step again on the street to competitiveness for JR, however we’re trying ahead to giving each him and Loka every little thing they should maximise their potential.”
