Strict Covid-19 protocols in place as World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea prepares for Misano test

Jonathan Rea will be back in action for the first time since March at a two-day test this week at Misano in Italy.
Jonathan Rea will undertake a two-day test this week at Misano in Italy.Jonathan Rea will undertake a two-day test this week at Misano in Italy.
Jonathan Rea will undertake a two-day test this week at Misano in Italy.

The Kawasaki rider will join up with team-mate Alex Lowes on Wednesday and Thursday to commence preparations for the planned resumption of the World Superbike Championship at Jerez in Spain at the end of July following the Covid-19 lockdown.

The Aruba.it Ducati team of Scott Redding and Chaz Davies are also present along with several other teams, including Barni Racing’s Leon Camier and Team Go Eleven Ducati’s Michael Ruben Rinaldi.

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Rea travelled to the Adriatic coast in Italy in his van due to the travel restrictions in place in the UK and the reigning five-time champion says he cannot wait to ride his Kawasaki ZX-10RR in anger once again.

One round of the 2020 World Superbike Championship has taken place this year at Phillip Island in Australia.One round of the 2020 World Superbike Championship has taken place this year at Phillip Island in Australia.
One round of the 2020 World Superbike Championship has taken place this year at Phillip Island in Australia.

A series of stringent measures will be in place at the test as a result of the coronavirus, including regular health checks, while anti-viral protocols requiring facemasks, frequent hand sanitation and the use of stipulated working zones will be adhered to, along with observing social-distancing.

There will be no regular hospitality unit as such on-site at Misano, with the team’s meals supplied at the track by KRT staff.

Rea said: “I am super-excited to get back on the bike - not just to ride again but to see all the team and simply enjoy the working together,” said Rea, who last week signed a new multi-year deal to remain with Kawasaki.

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“I missed that during lockdown. I think this is probably the longest period I have been off the bike. Misano is a great track to get back into the swing of things at.

“I know our ZX-10RR very well and I know Misano well too. We will have four hot races at the beginning of the re-started season this summer, in Spain and Portugal, so it is perfect to come and test at Misano at this time, as the weather should be similar,” he added.

“The track itself at Misano has a bit of everything – fast corners, both fast and slow changes of direction, and some stop-and-go corners. Because of the lockdown and the quarantine restrictions in the UK I have driven here to Italy in my MX van. I am in here with my bikes, my training gear - pretty much my life is in a van at the minute.”

Rea began the season with a victory in the opening round at Phillip Island in Australia and is currently fourth in the standings after three races, 19 points behind his new team-mate, Alex Lowes.

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He said: “I am excited by the journey and getting to test again. It should be a great two days if we keep on working, because we were one of the strongest in Australia.

“It is really nice to go into this test on the back of securing my future with KRT beyond this season as well.

“The atmosphere should be pretty nice and we can focus on this year completely. It was great for the team to have been able to get us to this test despite the global situation and I am grateful to Dorna and the circuits for working out the new calendar for us.

“I cannot wait for the lights to go out on the grid at Jerez on the 1st of August. I will be ready.”

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Following the Misano test, Rea and Lowes will participate in a further test at Montmelo in Barcelona, which is a stone’s throw from the Kawasaki Racing Team’s headquarters in Granollers.

The championship is set to return at Jerez from July 31 to August 2.

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