Day by day, Jonathan Rea appears more comfortable in the Yamaha garage, and the lap times look equally encouraging. With just a few tenths separating him and the frontrunner at the Portimao test, Jonathan can’t wait to get back on track for the first race.
“I’m more than ready”, comments Rea. “We’ve tested a lot of things, seeing as this is a new bike for me and so I wanted to understand all its secrets and work on the weak points. It’s hard to judge our progress, as different settings offer similar sensations. Perhaps I haven’t found the ideal setup yet, but we’ve followed the work plan and I’m pleased. The fact that Locatelli and Gardner were faster is useful to me, as I can learn something from their data”.
Rea is enjoying the fresh air at Yamaha
Much is new for Rea this season, but he appears to have the right attitude and approach.
“My motivation hasn’t changed, but I can say I'm enjoying the fresh air. I’m approaching things in the same way, it’s just the content that has changed. Having a new crew chief is something to get used to, as is the character of the bike. It will take time, but I’ve been faster than I expected so far. We can do more though”.
Work on the R1 continues, as the rider identifies strengths and points to improve.
“The frame and smooth running are definite strengths of this bike, but we can improve in many areas, and I could feel more comfortable in others. We need to work on our speed with new tyres, and in acceleration too, but overall, the feeling is positive.”