Rea bounces back in sensational style (From This Is Local London)

Rea bounces back in sensational style

9:50am Wednesday 16th December 2009 in

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Reigning motorcycle European Superstock 600 champion Gino Rea made endured mixed fortunes in the finale of the 2009 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship on Sunday.

Racing at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China, the Epsom rider crashed out of the opening race but then bounced back to win the second.

The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is the premier series of the region, incorporating races in Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, India and China.

Rea had flown out earlier in the week with his manager and former team boss Andrew Stone as a means of raising his profile ahead of an anticipated entry into next year’s World Supersport Championship.

Riding for the Red Rooster Yamaha team, Rea adapted well to his new surroundings, qualifying in fourth place with a time of 1:41.639 around the 2.7-mile circuit after making extensive suspension adjustments to his machine.

Running with the leaders in the opening race, Gino lost the front of his Yamaha on lap four and was then struck from behind.

Both bikes slid down the track colliding with three other riders and causing the race to be red-flagged.

Undeterred, and with a new set of leathers purchased on the spot to replace his now crash-destroyed former outfit, Rea was back out for the second 18-lap outing.

Dicing with other riders at the front of the field in the early stages, Gino went on to win the race by over half a second from Japan’s Hamaguchi Toshiyuki (Suzuki).

The festive holidays may be approaching fast but there’s currently no rest for either Rea or Stone.

The two now travel directly from China to Spain for a test session which they hope will secure a ride in next year’s World Supersport Championship.