“Issues from the test” causing issues for Rea - ‘Struggling to pinpoint the problem’
Jonathan Rea endured a difficult Friday in Phillip Island on his debut weekend with Yamaha, as he ended both practice sessions way off the pace, in 12th and 16th respectively.
Share on:
After a difficult Tuesday test feeling like ‘a million miles away’, Jonathan Rea was again unable to find a serious form of pace as the Northern Irishman found himself struggling in 12th and 16th positions respectively in both the practice sessions.
Rea spent most of his time in the garage as he struggled to pinpoint the issues, something he reckons might have continued from the test, making his Yamaha R1 a very difficult machine to ride.
“Super difficult day, as you could see I didn’t do many laps on track,” explained the six-times world champion when speaking to WorldSBK.com. “As you can see, I didn’t do many laps on track.”
“Not only due to the weather. We suffered some issues straight away this morning, probably continued on from the test and struggled to pinpoint exactly what the problem is.”
“We struggled to pinpoint exactly what it is; the bike is very difficult to ride. We’re trying to rule out the problems and we’re changing the setup of the bike quite a lot but not touching on it.”
“Fundamentally, something is not right and it’s not exactly how I imagined day one of the season to start but we are where we are and I have full confidence in the team to find the root of the issue and try to be stronger tomorrow.”
Rea was adamant that despite him struggling to ride his Yamaha in the best way, he will also need to find a right direction with regards to his setup. Otherwise it may end up a nightmarish debut for the Northern Irishman.
“Even with the issue, I’m not riding the R1 in the best way, but I need to get the bike close enough to me to exploit my strengths. We need to find the issue otherwise it’ll be the hardest race of my life.”
When asked if his physical condition from Tuesday’s turn 11 crash might have something to do with today’s result, Rea suggested:
“In terms of the crash, I feel much, much better than yesterday – and yesterday better than the day before – everyday it’s getting better.”
But despite a difficult day one, Rea isn’t losing hope for a strong debut result with Yamaha:
“Of course, I still have some growing to do with the R1 so now is the time to be calm and if tomorrow I can roll out of pit lane as “Day Zero” as they say and I can find the rhythm fast enough, I say with optimism that hopefully we can fight for a good result.”
“We need to rebuild his confidence” – Paul Denning
Speaking on Rea’s issues with the R1, Yamaha’s team principal Paul Denning suggested that Rea’s confidence might have taken a hit after suffering a painful crash in Tuesday’s test but also feels that it will take time for Rea to fully adapt to Yamaha’s philosophy.
“The bike’s got all the potential, a six-time Champion’s got all the potential as well, we’ve just got to match Jonathan’s confidence with the bike. It’s obviously hereditary from the crash on Tuesday.”
“We need to rebuild his confidence; after nine seasons with different people, team and philosophy and bike, it’s not easy.”
“His first test and feeling with the R1, going second quickest at the Jerez test in November, we’ve just not quite translated that through Portimao and Phillip Island.”
“A few problems have got in the way to make that more difficult. That’s our responsibility to improve and give him the package that helps him use 100% of his talent.”
But the Brit is adamant that Rea will be a ‘very different animal’ when the lights go out in Phillip island.
