Rea wants more after first point (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Rea wants more after first point

1:29pm Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Other Sport

Gino Rea may have secured his first ever Moto2 World Championship point last Sunday – but the Epsom racer was still far from happy, writes Alannah Fellows.

The 23-year-old and his Federal Oil Gresini bike have struggled in the opening rounds of the championship in his debut season at that level.

But, in Jerez on Sunday, he was in the 15th and final points scoring position when the race was red flagged on the 17th lap out of 26 due to rain.

Despite his highest finish to date though, Rea wants more – starting at the Estoril Circuit in Portugal this weekend.

“It was another tough weekend but with a more positive finish,” he said.

“I got a good start and my pace at the beginning was OK.

“When the fuel load went down and the grip got worse with the light rain I started to struggle.

“Still, we got our first Moto2 point so that’s a good way to finish the weekend.

“We have many areas to improve for Portugal and a new circuit to learn so I’m looking forward to it.”

Rea, racing on a chassis he first tested at the end of last year that is regarded as uncompetitive in 2012, qualified in 23rd position but a stunning start saw him up to 14th on the opening lap.

He was fighting with fellow Brit Bradley Smith and multi-race winner Andrea Iannone for most of the race before it was stopped.