Jonathan Rea was third fastest after today’s opening day of the pre-season World Superbike test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve near Portimao in Portugal.

Fellow Briton, Leon Haslam, set the pace today, with Rea just a tenth behind. However, a crash near the end of the session left the Northern Irishman with a cut finger and bruised hands. He sat out all but the last 45 minutes of this afternoon’s 2h20m session.

“I wanted to end the day well,” said Rea, “and continue testing a rear shock. We used the same type of tyre all day and did my best time after about ten laps. This morning it was on my first lap, so we learned a lot.”

WSBK Portmao test – official times, day one
1 Leon Haslam (GBR) Suzuki 1’42.778s
2 Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Yamaha 1’42.960s
3 Jonathan Rea (GBR) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda 1’43.033s
4 Max Biaggi (ITA) Aprilia 1’43.364s
5 James Toseland (GBR) 1’43.378s
6 Shane Byrne (GBR) 1’43.569
14 Max Neukirchner (GER) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda 1’44.453s