Gino Rea on the podium in 3rd for the WSBK Superstock 600 opener at Valencia
05-04-2009
Gino Rea on his Ten Kate Honda finished 3rd today in the closely fought first race of the WSBK Superstock 600 season at Valencia. Starting third on the grid Gino battled with, Lonbois and Bussolotti for 2nd, 3rd and 4th whilst Petrucci pulled a significant gap at the front for Trasimeno Yamaha. At half distance Gino was third behind Lonbois but was then passed by Bussolotti on lap seven. Tight racing followed with Gino passing Bussolotti on the final lap of the 11 lap race to achieve his podium finish.
Thoughts from Gino are:
"It was a hard race, we still struggled with speed and rear grip. I tried to tag onto Petrucci from the beginning but didn't quite have the pace.Then Lonbois went passed down the straight and I could catch him everywhere else but didn't quite have enough pace to go back past. Then Bussolotti come passed on the straight and I had to push really hard to just stay with them. I was going to wait for the last lap to make a move on the brake on the final corner but decided to do it a lap before to see if he would pass me before the finish line, which he did so I came back at him on the brakes on the 2nd corner. I pushed hard to get a gap on him and it worked. To come out of this race with a podium is fantastic. When you know how much the other teams tested here it makes it pretty special. Last year it took me 5 races to get a podium so I'm glad to get off to a solid start. Now we know the bike a bit better we can try and improve it for Assen. I also can try and get rid of my annoying cold, it started to affect me in the latter stages of the race! I also look forward to riding the Dutch Superbike this weekend at Assen!"
Gino is riding in the Dutch Superbike championship this coming weekend to gain time on the bike at Assen before the WSBK race there on 26th April.
Race day photos are in the gallery here.
Today's race results are:
1 9 Petrucci D. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 18'31.326 (142,711 kph)
2 55 Lonbois V. (BEL) Yamaha YZF R6 3.923
3 4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 4.871
4 5 Bussolotti M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 5.108
5 11 Guarnoni J. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 9.444
6 37 Litjens J. (NED) Yamaha YZF R6 14.817
7 89 Kerschbaumer S. (AUT) Yamaha YZF R6 16.528
8 7 Guittet B. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 16.743
9 36 Chmielewski A. (POL) Yamaha YZF R6 16.995
10 13 Lombardi D. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 17.224
11 10 Calero N. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 35.794
12 23 Von Gunten C. (SUI) Suzuki GSX-R600 42.308
13 132 Manfrinati D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 47.218
14 12 Cecchini R. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 47.449
RET 19 Morelli N. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR
RET 26 Vrajitoru M. (ROU) Yamaha YZF R6
RET 81 Látr D. (CZE) Honda CBR600RR
RET 47 La Marra E. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR
Sponsors
Team StoneBaker.
For 2009 StoneBaker Racing is sponsoring four riders. Dan Linfoot, Gino Rea, Christian Iddon and Pat McDougall.
Dan Linfoot has joined premier BSB team Rob Mac Racing Yamaha to compete in the British Supersport Championship.
Gino Rea has joined leading WSBK team Ten Kate Honda to compete in the WSBK Superstock 600 Championship.
Christian Iddon competes in the Supermoto World Championship with factory supported Team Motoracing KTM.
Pat McDougall competes in the BSB Superstock 600 Championship in privateer team Beowulf Racing.
