Four-time defending champion Jonathan Rea has expressed the importance of taking advantage of the opening practice sessions this weekend at Jerez for round six of the 2019 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), as track temperatures are set to rise above conditions previously raced in.

The Kawasaki Racing Team contender, who’s coming off a stellar season-first victory at Imola, says lapping the circuit in practice will offer a boost in crucial data for the remainder of the weekend as the WorldSBK takes to the Spanish circuit in the European summer for the first time.

“I’m excited to go to Jerez and understand our potential there,” Rea commented. “After the race weekend in Imola and a positive test at Misano I feel ready for this next challenge. Jerez is a very nice circuit to ride, especially the fast flowing corners at the end of the lap.

“It will be important to make a lot of laps during practice to prepare for the races, as it’s the first time we have raced in Jerez during the summer. The temperatures will be much higher than we experienced during our winter tests. With this in mind, we will work hard and try to keep the momentum going.”

Rea sits second in the championship rankings, 43 points behind WorldSBK rookie Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).