Final corner slide costs Rea a podium (From Croydon Guardian)

Final corner slide costs Rea a podium

1:26pm Thursday 4th August 2011 in Motorsport By Graham Moody

A final corner slide saw Epsom’s Gino Rea miss out on a podium in a thrilling World Supersport race at Silverstone last weekend.

Having qualified on the front row, Rea went off track twice early on to find himself down in ninth place, five seconds behind the leader.

But he was soon producing some daredevil passing moves to get back to fourth but when he tried to take Fabien Foret for third into the last corner, the front slid out and he crashed into the gravel, rejoining to finish 11th.

“I am definitely disappointed, I had the pace to win,” he said.

“The leaders were way out in front but I gave it my all to try and catch them, I was out of the seat and losing the front every other corner, absolutely on the edge.

“There was no way after riding my heart out that I was going to settle for fourth at my home race, so I lined Foret up for a pass for the final right hander but I tucked the front and went down.

“I am just sorry for everyone in the team and everyone watching, I really wanted a podium.

“Still, we have to take the positives, our package is improving at each race.

“We have a break now until Nurburgring on September 4 which is a shame, I want to get back out there and race at the front.”