Rea reflects on 'crazy' race two victory

'It's nice to win and, in that second race, everybody wanted to win so bad. It was a crazy race' - Jonathan Rea

14 May 2012

13.05.2012- Race, Start of the race
© PHOTO 4

Jonathan Rea has hailed his 'crazy' victory in the second World Superbike race at Donington Park, which the Honda star won in controversial circumstances.

Rea was battling with BMW riders Leon Haslam and Marco Melandri when the trio were involved in a last corner pile-up that saw both Haslam and Melandri crash out with the chequered flag in sight.

Haslam was leading when Melandri soared past before running wide at Goddards.

However, as Haslam attempted to turn in, Rea was coming up the inside as he pursued the gap opened up by Melandri.

There was contact and Haslam went down, sliding into the path of Melandri as both riders were eliminated from the race, denying BMW the chance of another 1-2 after Melandri took the honours in race one from his British team-mate.

Rea managed to remain upright on his CBR1000RR and claimed his second success of the season and his first World Superbike podium at the 25-year-old Northern Ireland rider's adopted 'home' circuit.

The Ulsterman had earlier finished fourth in the first race.

Rea said: "It's nice to win and, in that second race, everybody wanted to win so bad. It was a crazy race and I made it hard work because I dropped off the group again in the middle stage and then, when I caught the group, I made a big mistake and ran wide at the last corner.

"To catch up with five laps to go and make up some places and then cap it off with the win was unbelievable," he added.

"I was quite happy with the fourth in race one as well - the guys gave me a great bike and Chris [Pike - crew chief] and his team were on it all weekend."

Rea paid tribute to the British fans at Donington, who showed their appreciation on the slowing down lap.

"It's nice to come here and get a good result because it's never happened in the past with Superbike," he said.

"I got on the podium in Supersport but this is nice for the British fans and there were quite a lot of guys out there.

"On the slowing-down lap everyone was clapping and it's nice to have a British winner at a British round."