Key points from Race 1 of the 2023 World Superbike Championship at Most in the Czech Republic:
- Jonathan Rea secured his and Kawasaki’s first victory of the season.
- The race took place in tricky damp conditions, making tire choice critical.
- Rea’s decision to go with intermediate tires proved to be advantageous as the track dried up.
- When wet tire riders were forced to pit, Rea gained a massive 12-second lead.
- Toprak Razgatlioglu finished in second place, making a late effort to catch Rea.
- Danilo Petrucci celebrated his second WorldSBK rostrum by finishing in third place.
- Title leader Alvaro Bautista could only manage a 12th-place finish, struggling with the changing conditions.
- It was Jonathan Rea’s first victory since Phillip Island 2022.
- The race was the first wet running since Friday’s practice session, adding an element of uncertainty.
- Jonathan Rea responded to Yamaha’s rumours about his future in the sport.
- The race showcased the challenge of tire choice and how quickly track conditions can change in wet races.
Race 1 results for round eight of the 2023 World Superbike championship at Most in the Czech Republic:
- Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki)
- Toprak Razgatlioglu (Yamaha)
- Danilo Petrucci (Ducati)
- Scott Redding (BMW)
- Iker Lecuona (Honda)
- Andrea Locatelli (Yamaha)
- Dominique Aegerter (Yamaha)
- Axel Bassani (Ducati)
- Remy Gardner (Ducati)
- Xavi Verge (Kawasaki)
Notable mention: Alvaro Bautista could only finish in 12th.
Jonathan Rea secured Kawasaki’s first victory of the season during a damp opening race at the 2023 Czech Republic WorldSBK round. Rea’s tire choice of intermediate tires proved to be the right call, as the conditions improved, and wet tire riders were forced to pit.
This handed Rea a substantial 12-second lead, which he managed to maintain until the finish. Toprak Razgatlioglu finished in second place, and Danilo Petrucci took the third spot on the podium. Alvaro Bautista, the title leader, had a challenging race and finished in 12th place.
Quote
Rea said: “I was quite convinced actually. Even in the garage, I watched the WorldSSP300 race and the guys in front stayed out there on wets and OK, the lap times weren’t great but I could see that even with slick tyres was much more performance in the ‘mizzling’ conditions.
So, from that point of view, I was convinced that to get anything out of today, then the right choice was intermediated to generate heat in the tyre. On the sighting lap, I used wet knee sliders and got my knee down a couple of times and felt OK. I convinced myself to put heat in the tyres because the worst thing you can do is not put temperature in the tyre. It worked from Lap 2.”
Conclusion
Race 1 of the 2023 World Superbike championship at Most in the Czech Republic was an eventful and challenging race held in damp and tricky conditions. Jonathan Rea emerged as the winner, securing his and Kawasaki’s first victory of the season. His decision to use intermediate tires proved to be a masterstroke, as he built a significant lead when wet tire riders were forced to pit due to improving track conditions.
Toprak Razgatlioglu finished in second place, making a valiant effort to catch Rea, while Danilo Petrucci celebrated his second WorldSBK rostrum by taking the third spot on the podium.
Difficulties for Bautista
On the other hand, title leader Alvaro Bautista faced difficulties in the race and could only manage a disappointing 12th-place finish. This result had implications for the championship standings, reducing Bautista’s lead over Razgatlioglu.
The race highlighted the importance of strategic tire choices and how quickly the conditions on the track can change in wet races. It also showcased Jonathan Rea’s skill and experience, bouncing back from a winless streak to claim victory.
Exciting contest
The event delivered an exciting and unpredictable contest, demonstrating the fierce competition in the 2023 World Superbike championship season. Fans can look forward to more thrilling races and intense battles for the championship title as the season progresses.
