The second day of the sixth Superbike World Championship round played out today at Donington Park in the UK. Yesterday saw Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider Tito Rabat take part in the free practices, which were conditioned by rain. This morning the Spaniard was back on track for the final practice, placing twenty-first on the still damp surface.
In the subsequent Superpole, Tito improved on his best time of yesterday to set a 1’28”096 with which he placed nineteenth. With this result, he lined up on the seventh row of the grid for the afternoon’s race, which ran in dry conditions.
Having made a good start, Rabat lost many positions at turn one when he moved to avoid two riders that crashed in front of him. Returning to the track at the back of the pack, the Spaniard picked up the pace, making up ground to cross the line sixteenth, just outside the points zone.
An unlucky race, but one that allowed Rabat to build confidence with his Ninja and confirm his continuous progress. Tomorrow he will be back on track for the Superpole Race and Race 2.
Donington Park – UK – Superbike World Championship
Superpole: 1) Rea (Kawasaki) – 2) Bautista (Ducati) – 3) Petrucci (Ducati) – 4) Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) – 5) Lowes (Kawasaki) – 6) Aegerter (Yamaha) ………… 19) Rabat (Kawasaki)
Race 1: 1) Bautista (Ducati) – 2) Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) – 3) Rea (Kawasaki) – 4) Petrucci (Ducati) – 5) Locatelli (Yamaha) – 6) Lowes (Kawasaki) …… 16) Rabat (Kawasaki)
Tito Rabat
“It was a strange race today. In the end I’m pleased with how it went, mainly because we were able to collect a lot of data. I started well but at turn one two riders crashed in front of me. I don’t know how I avoided them but I found myself in last place. I then got into a really strong rhythm that allowed me to pass the riders in the last group and close in on those ahead. I gave it my all and only had to slow in the final stages due to tyre wear. We will continue on in this way and focus on tomorrow’s race. Thanks to my team for their precious support.”
