Oil leak stops Gino’s World Supersport Podium challenge at Magny- Cours… A tough weekend including a crash in qualifying left Rea 9th on the grid for Sundays final World Supersport race at Magny- Cours. Gino made his trademark ‘Speedy G’ start and got up to 5th place, soon making his way past Fujiwara into 4th and closing down on 3rd. Gino was re-passed by Fujiwara and Foret as he got held up by Parkes who had a bike problem, but he soon got back into 4th behind Fujiwara. Rea was sitting there comfortably when he had a big moment going into the fast turn 2, the rear of the bike stepping out sideways. He went wide and Roccoli came past pointing out that there was a problem with Gino’s bike. After the next corner it was clear that Rea’s bike was leaking oil and he had to pull off the circuit, the podium challenge over. Gino comments: “That was a disappointing end to the season really. After a tough weekend and coming from 9th on the grid I feel I definitely could have got on the podium. My pace was good, I was sitting behind Fujiwara in 4th and very confident I could pass him for the podium position. The rear of the bike came around on me entering the second corner and I knew something was wrong, as I went wide Roccoli came past pointing to the rear of his bike indicating I had a problem with mine. On the entrance to the next corner my bike was sliding everywhere and then it was clear I had a problem, I pulled over and there was oil leaking onto my tyre so my race was over. It was lucky I didn’t crash into that second corner as it would have been a big one. I’m obviously pretty annoyed but it was good to show we still had the pace to podium even after a tough weekend. Although, if I had finished I would have been 5th in the championship, which is way higher than anyone expected! “During the next week we will be deciding on our plans for next year so I’m looking forward to getting that sorted. I also have a Supermoto race coming up this weekend at Mettet in the ‘Superbiker’ class, against lots of World Class Motocross and Road racers, it will be interesting!” A top 4 position would have placed Gino 5th in the overall World Supersport Championship, but with this non-finish, Rea was demoted all the way back to 9th position. Still, top Rookie, top 10 overall and two podiums in his debut season of World Championship racing. Roll on 2011…