WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea has been moved back to the second row of the grid for today’s opening race at Assen following an incident with Chaz Davies.
Race direction deemed that Rea got in Davies’ way at turn seven while on his slowing down lap and the incident resulted in on-track handbags plus a war of words in parc ferme. Rea apologised to Davies but then said it hadn’t been accepted.
A statement from race direction reads:
On Saturday during Superpole 2, you rode slow on the racing surface at turn 7. This is considered to be irresponsible riding causing danger to you and other riders and is therefore an infringement to Art.1.21.2; your behaviour was prejudicial to the interest of Sport (Art. 3.3.1.2)
For the above reason the Race Direction has decided to impose to you penalty of 3 grid positions for your next race.
Tom Sykes will now start on pole with Davies next to him. Lorenzo Savadori is promoted to third as Rea shuffles back to fourth.
“I’ve watched the video back and I accept I was on Chaz’s line but it was unintentional. I was off my line which was quite tight on the exit of that corner. I didn’t expect him to use all the line there, I gave some space but it wasn’t enough. I’m not grumbling too much, I offered my apologies and now it’s history,” said Rea on the grid.