Press Release:
Ten Kate Honda's Gino Rea clinched the European Superstock 600 Championship by a single point ahead of Frenchman Vincent Lonbois after a three-way dice for the race win at Portimao.
Rea rode a thinking man's race, knowing he only had to follow Lonbois over the line in order to wrap up the title as the third title contentder Danilo Petrucci was way down the order.
The young Londoner streaked away from the line, leading into the first corner from a second row grid slot before Marco Bussolotti got past him on lap two, and Lonbois demoted him to third.
Lonbois and Bussolotti then swapped places for the lead time and time again while Rea held a close third.
Rea tried to get a run out of the final corner to go past the German rider for second but just got out dragged to the line. However, third was enough to lift the title.
At the start of the year Rea fought hard to overcome a lack of speed on his Ten Kate Honda compared to his Yamaha rivals, but regardless of his qualifying performance always delivered gutsy performances on race day.
Rea :
“It’s an amazing feeling to be champion. I’ve really upped my game this year in every area and ridden the best I ever have.
Coming into the race I didn’t know if it was going to be possible to win the title because I was the only one out of the top guys who didn’t test here before the race. But we worked hard and we pulled it off. I've worked so hard for this all year and to actually make it happen, im lost for words. I took a risk this year to stay in the stk600 class to bond with the Ten Kate crew ands its payed off to clinch them their first Superstock championship.
After some set up problems in qualifying, the race went to plan. I could have pushed for a better position, but a close 3rd was good enough for the title.
Id like to say thanks to everyone who has helped get me here over the years. Its not been easy and I wouldnt have done it without these people... my dad and family, Mick Corrigan, Llyod Peacock, Andy Stone, Richard Baker, everyone at Ten Kate and of course all my personal sponsors. Thanks!"
Gino now has his sights on securing a ride in either World Supersport, World Superstock 1000 or British Superbike for 2010.
