Jonathan Rea feels “extra comfy” heading into spherical two of the 2026 WorldSBK than he was in Portugal three weeks in the past.
The Dutch spherical is being held in Assen this weekend, and for the third race of the yr, Rea has been referred to as up for the second time to exchange Jake Dixon, who stays injured after a crash throughout testing at Phillip Island earlier than the primary race in February.
Rea changed Portimao, however may solely rating 4 factors for twelfth place in race two. He then admitted that he wasn’t bodily prepared for the weekend after present process surgical procedure within the offseason to cope with accidents from his two seasons with Yamaha in 2024 and 2025.
Nevertheless, the six-time champion was in a position to participate in testing final week and feels he’s higher ready for his second fill-in experience of the 2026 World Superbike season.
Jonathan Rea informed WorldSBK.com forward of the Dutch spherical: “Assen brings again a variety of nice recollections. It is an opportunity to get extra miles on the bike.”
“We examined final week and I really feel extra comfy and extra ready coming to Assen than I did in Portimao.”
“Now we have been looking for a motorcycle that we’re comfy with, however Portimao was a possibility to discover a special path and be extra aggressive with our set-up concepts.
“We are able to reap the benefits of this this weekend with extra information from Portimao and final week.”
Assen can be a circuit the place Rea has had a lot success prior to now, with 17 wins on the Dutch venue throughout his World Superbike profession.
“Seventeen wins is an enormous factor, particularly at a sure circuit,” he stated. “I knew Assen nicely as a result of once I was 20 years outdated I signed with the Ten Kate Honda Staff and did a variety of testing right here in WorldSSP.
“It is a circuit that at all times affords nice racing and there are some methods to the commerce right here. After 18 years, everybody is aware of these methods.”
“I really like the course and the environment. As a rider, I don’t assume there’s a greater feeling than going into the ultimate chicane and seeing a packed grandstand.”
