BSB: Rea: 'I underestimated how difficult it is to go fast in BSB!'

Gino Rea has admitted he underestimated how difficult it is to go fast in BSB after making his way to the sharp end at the more familiar Assen circuit.

Rea was first and second in the opening day’s two practice sessions, showing the potential of both him and the new-for-2018 OMG Racing Suzuki squad after a tough rookie campaign learning the British tracks.

“It’s definitely refreshing to be up there,” Rea told MCN. “As everyone knows, this is a hard championship. I wouldn’t say I underestimated the riders in this championship, but I underestimated how difficult it is to go fast round the UK tracks.

“We’ve been improving in the last few races and starting to make the bike mine, we’ve made some changes with engine and electronics in recent rounds and it’s made me a lot more comfortable with the bike.

“Here I know where I’m going, I can get my head down from the first laps and don’t have to learn the circuit. I have to adapt my lines and brake points but knowing the circuit makes it so much easier to get on with making the bike work for the track. I’d say there are still some areas where I want to improve, but overall my pace is good on hard and soft tyres. It’s the most positive day of the year that’s for sure.”