04 Jul Rabat recovers in race 1 at Donington and just misses the points zone
The second day of the sixth Superbike World Championship round played out today at Donington Park in the UK. Yesterday saw Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider Tito Rabat take part in the free practices, which were conditioned by rain. This morning the Spaniard was back on track for the final practice, placing twenty-first on the still damp surface.
In the subsequent Superpole, Tito improved on his best time of yesterday to set a 1’28”096 with which he placed nineteenth. With this result, he lined up on the seventh row of the grid for the afternoon’s race, which ran in dry conditions.
Having made a good start, Rabat lost many positions at turn one when he moved to avoid two riders that crashed in front of him. Returning to the track at the back of the pack, the Spaniard picked up the pace, making up ground to cross the line sixteenth, just outside the points zone.
An unlucky race, but one that allowed Rabat to build confidence with his Ninja and confirm his continuous progress. Tomorrow he will be back on track for the Superpole Race and Race 2.
Donington Park – UK – Superbike World Championship
Superpole: 1) Rea (Kawasaki) – 2) Bautista (Ducati) – 3) Petrucci (Ducati) – 4) Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) – 5) Lowes (Kawasaki) – 6) Aegerter (Yamaha) ………… 19) Rabat (Kawasaki)
Race 1: 1) Bautista (Ducati) – 2) Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) – 3) Rea (Kawasaki) – 4) Petrucci (Ducati) – 5) Locatelli (Yamaha) – 6) Lowes (Kawasaki) …… 16) Rabat (Kawasaki)