The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal was drenched in late summer sun for the first two WorldSBK free practice sessions on Friday 29. At the penultimate round of the season Rea started positively and ended up inside the top four.

The opening morning session was delayed until the medical helicopter could arrive in site, but once the action got underway Rea was in the vanguard in each session, despite spending most of his time working on race tyre options and race set-up.

For Lowes a recent knee surgery had to be taken into consideration in the early laps of the opening session after he had been declared fit to ride by the on-site medical staff. He was ranked 14th at the end of the day but he was still lapping less than a second away from the fastest rider, Alvaro Bautista.

Now the KRT pairing will face a morning FP3 session on Saturday 30 September, followed by Tissot-Superpole qualifying and then a 20-lap Race One. Sunday 1 October will feature a ten-lap Superpole race and then the final 20-lap WorldSBK Race Two.

Jonathan Rea, stated: “I had a positive day and the team made a really good plan to understand and work through the tyre options for tomorrow. Along with these tyre tests we were able to fine tune the set-up the set up on our Ninja ZX-10RR. I enjoyed riding today in Portugal, I always enjoy the track and it was good to see a lot of people here. We had a bit of a breakthrough with the front tyre and I felt stronger with it, especially at the end of the long runs. I think we have understood an area where we can improve in the last part of the races. That was positive, and I want to thank all of the team. We had hot conditions out there and everyone was working really hard. We have a big job to do tomorrow - try to qualify well and then of course the first of the long races will start in the afternoon. We will try to prepare in the best way possible.” 

Alex Lowes, stated: “It was good to be back in action after missing some time out with an injury that needed surgery. Today was pretty positive. Everyone is so close now in WorldSBK so when you miss some sharpness it’s easy to be down the grid. I enjoyed riding today and will keep pushing to improve for Saturday.”

Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was 22nd on day one, Isaac Vinales (TPR by Vinales Racing Kawasaki) was one place ahead and Oliver König (Orelac Racing Movisio Kawasaki) ended his day 25th.

2023 KRT Rider WorldSBK Statistics

Jonathan Rea: World Champion 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020
2023: Races 30, Wins 1, Podiums 16, Superpoles 2
Career Race Wins: 119 (104 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 261 (219 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 42 (38 for Kawasaki)

Alex Lowes:
2023: Races: 26, Wins 0, Podiums 1, Superpoles 0
Career Race Wins: 2 (1 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 34 (14 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 1 (0 for Kawasaki)

8 x Riders’ Championships (Scott Russell 1993, Tom Sykes 2013, Rea 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020), 1 x EVO Riders’ Championship (David Salom 2014)
6 x Manufacturers’ Championships (Ninja ZX-10R 2015 & 2016, Ninja ZX-10RR 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020)
5 x Teams’ Championships (KRT/Provec Racing 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019)

Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics
Total Kawasaki Race Wins: 178 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Podiums: 540 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Poles: 107 – second overall

                             #NinjaSpirit