KRT’s Jonathan Rea talks about his 40th career win at Phillip Island

Reigning World Champion Jonathan Rea completed a near-perfect weekend at the sensational Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, taking the double victory as he started from ninth position in race two under the updated grid format.

Beginning the season on the winning foot following a strong winter testing the new ZX-10RR machine, Rea was lost for words following his second victory under sunny skies in Australia. Competing in two hard fought battles over the two days, the British rider put his all into both races and his ruthless attitude secured him two victories in the finest of margins.

Facing stiff competition from his rivals over the weekend, Rea’ s victories didn’t come easy as Ducati riders Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri put up and a strong fight.

Rea reveals his thoughts over the record equalling weekend: “It’s incredible, those stats are amazing and to win the first race under the new grid regulation is really nice, especially as it penalised me the most yesterday for winning. This is the best way to start my championship campaign, and I’m looking forward to the next few races. Phillip Island is notorious for not being able to get away and having to win on last lap battles, and I came out on top in two of them this weekend and that’s really special.

I can’t tell you how difficult that is, Chaz was riding really well and a massive hats off to Marco because he had a great pace in the middle of the race. I knew if it came down to a last lap battle that Chaz would be there. To win like this makes me even prouder; it’s nice to start the season this way and it gives me some confidence going forward.”

Rea will look a taking his 41^st victory in two weeks time in Thailand, where he had some strong pace and underwent some tough battles last season.