World Superbike series leader Jonathan Rea is hoping that high track temperatures at this weekend’s Sepang World Superbike round will allow him to return to his preferred front-tyre option and get back to the top step of the podium this weekend.

The Castletown resident had his worst weekend - if you can call it that - of the year at Laguna Seca with two third places behind Chaz Davies and Kawasaki team-mate Tom Sykes but it still on course to wrap up his first world title at Jerez.

“When I studied the Sepang races last year I struggled a little bit but it seems that the Ninja ZX-10R was quite a strong package. I expect it to be really hot at Sepang. With the timings of the races and at this time of year there is a possibility of thunderstorms in the afternoon so we have to be ready to react to the weather as well,” said Rea.

“At Laguna, with it not being such a high braking force track, quite twisty and with the temperature not being so high, I was not able to use my preferred front tyre. So I expect in Malaysia, with the temperature increase and the heavy braking zones then my preferred harder front option will be the tyre of choice. 

“I hope to be able to get back to my normal riding style and set the bike up accordingly. Whilst we had a good pace at Laguna Seca, I was not entirely comfortable. It is important for me to have a strong weekend at Sepang before we start on the long summer break.”