Castrol Honda's Jonathan Rea will start from the third row of the grid at the Phillip Island round of the World Superbike Championship
Jonathan Rea will start tomorrow’s two opening races of the 2011 World Superbike championship at Phillip Island, Australia from the third row of the grid after setting the 12th fastest time in this afternoon’s Superpole.
His Castrol Honda teammate, Ruben Xaus, is one row behind Rea in 16th place after completing the first of three Superpole sessions this afternoon.
Rea had been in confident mood going into the final qualifying shakedown for Sunday’s two 22-lappers around the 4.5km Phillip Island circuit and eased through Superpole 1 on race rubber.
However, the 24-year-old from Northern Ireland crashed out of Superpole 2 at the final corner whilst on a fast lap that looked set to propel him into the final eight-rider shootout to determine Sunday’s grid positions.
Fortunately, Rea did not aggravate any of the injuries sustained in his 130mph crash on Tuesday, although he did dislocate the ring finger on his left hand once more. He braved the pain, however, and put in back in place while a marshal gave him a ride back to the pits, and, with three minutes of the session remaining, Rea went out on his spare Castrol Honda CBR1000RR to complete a 1:32 lap.
Xaus had improved on his best time during this morning’s second qualifying session but could not find enough stability from the rear of his bike to attack Phillip Island’s faster turns. The Spaniard qualified for Superpole but was not able to progress beyond the first session.
Photo Gallery: Third row for Castrol Honda's Rea at Phillip Island WSBK - Sport Rider Magazine
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