Rea Struggled
HONDA If you believe in curses, it’ s easy to conclude that WorldSBK Honda’ s not exorcised theirs yet. Somkiat Chantra had a horrible crash in FP3 which left a lot of people holding their breath. Reports to hand suggest he suffered extensive back and leg bruising but, remarkably, no fractures but it’ s not clear yet whether he’ ll make it to Balaton for Round Four over the first weekend of May. Jonathan Rea, standing in for the injured Jake Dixon, made no impression at all, seventeenth in the two Sunday races being the‘ highlight’ of the weekend. A points haul of zero for the team would have been a jagged little pill and perhaps Assen was the last time we’ ll see Rea
grid up for WorldSBK as Japan Superbike contender Yuki Kunii is taking over Dixon’ s seat for Balaton. Having said that, if Chantra’ s not recovered in time for Round Four, will Rea switch seats and sub for him?
UPS AND DOWNS Gerloff and Kawasaki came away emptyhanded from the weekend despite finishing all three races. Sixteenth in quali didn’ t set him up for success but still, a barren weekend is not what would be expected. Taz Mackenzie carded a couple of top ten finishes on the MGM Ducati which was a return to form after a poor Round two.
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