The first day of Superbike World Championship testing at Phillip Island was disastrous for Jonathan Rea. The six-time world champion suffered a crash in which he sustained multiple fractures in his left foot.
The accident occurred at Turn 2 of the circuit in the final minutes of the first session. The Pata Maxus Yamaha rider was taken to the medical center, where he was declared unfit for the remainder of the test and for the season-opening round, also taking place this weekend at Phillip Island.
Paul Denning, team manager, told the championship’s official website that Rea’s recovery process remains uncertain, and it is not even clear whether he will be able to compete in the Portimão round in March:
– The next steps aren’t exactly clear, but the basic plan is to get back to the UK as quickly as possible and to have some surgery and start the recovery process..At this stage, it’s difficult to say [whether Rea will race in Portimão]. I’d prefer not to say. He’s seeing a specialist here on Wednesday before he goes home to get, let’s say, a full initial report and understanding of the injury. After we have that and after surgery is planned, let’s see, but Portimao is not so far away so I think it’s going to be a big challenge