The six-time WorldSB🐷K champion made the most of his intermediate tyre gamble, while the likes of Axel Bassani and Alvaro Bautista had to pit after choosing the full wets.

The two Ducati riders made𒆙 hay during the early stages as they fired up their full wets quicker th✅an others, however, Rea was best placed of the intermediate riders when they boxed. 

• Gardner: “We were lucky not to get a flat tyre, had a few 🌠holes like ꧂Toprak” 
• Petrucci on epic fight with Rea: “We passed each ot⛦her so many times”

Toprak Razgatlioglu began to reel in R⛦ea lap after lap, however, the Yamaha rider ran out of lap and had to settle for second.

During Sunday’s dry double-header, Rea had very good pace especially in the Superpole Race, but was unable to cont𝕴end for victory on both occasions. 

Speaking aft𒉰er Race 2, Rea said: "My pace felt okay, and I thought I could be there; especially in the Superpole Race because I didn’t realise I had that pac✨e. 

"In the long race, I went for different tyres to pretty much the whole g♒rid. Me and my team, when I tried them on Friday, felt they had a little bit more grip. 

"At the end of the race, the bike was moving so much, an𓆉d entry traction was gone. It was all I could do to keep Danilo be✅hind. 

"I co▨uld see on the pit board he was coming and then he parked it at Turn 1, but I went the long way around and parked it at Turn 2! I tried to do everything perfectly. 

"I defended into the penultimate corner but in the last corner I could feel him, but not see him with my peripheral viᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚsion. He leant on me a little bit. I thought, ‘if I ride into him, there’s as much chance of me going down as well as him’ so I gave him a little bit of space."

On pure performance winning a race in 2023 appeared unlikely for Rea, however, his achievement now means he’s won at least once in all 15 seasons that💦 he’s taken part in the championship. 

"I can’t complain, I would’ve snapped your hand off if you told me🧔 I’d have these results at a track I don’t have much affection with," added the Kawasaki rider. "We came away with a big haul of points 🌄and a good feeling with the bike."