Jonathan Rea (Honda World Superbike Team) took a strong fourth and then a fine second place in round six of the 2012 FIM Superbike World Championship, coming to within 0.195 seconds of eventual race winner Marco Melandri (BMW) in what was a shortened and much delayed 18-lap contest in race two.

Rea was looking for his most fulfilling visit to Miller Motorsports Park in the USA and he got his wish after starting from fifth on the grid and leading race two for seven laps.

Only race one went for the full 21-lap distance, with Rea fourth, in the wheel tracks of Max Biaggi (Aprilia) and only 5.517 seconds from winner Carlos Checa (Ducati). Rea is now fourth in the championship, with Biaggi on 160.5 points, Melandri and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) on 142.5 points apiece, and Jonathan only 1.5 points behind on 141.

The first attempt at running race two only lasted for three laps before Hiroshi Aoyama (Honda World Superbike Team) crashed at the entrance to the Attitude series of corners, his engine's sump hitting the trackside curbs hard and the subsequent oil leak bringing out the red flags. There was an eventual delay of just under 1.5 hours before the shortened second race could take place. Aoyama was 17th in race one, having qualified 21st, but he did not start the restarted race two. Hiroshi is now 16th in the championship, on an unchanged 30.5 points.

The rains that have plagued most of the SBK season so far were evident on day one once more, with only three dry practice sessions available to the riders out of four. Race day was, however, sunny and delivered two close races. In race two the top three riders, Melandri, Rea and Biaggi, were covered by only 2.137 seconds.

The next round will take place at Misano Adriatico, Italy, where the Supersport World Championship returns to the paddock, along with the support classes.

Jonathan Rea (Honda World Superbike Team):
Race result: 4th / 2nd Championship position: 4th

"A strong weekend for us and it was clear again through the practice sessions that we would not be bouncing of the top of the time sheets. But quietly we knew that we had some race pace. In race one I had a lot of front end chatter, coming from the engine braking, so we actually released the engine braking a bit for race two. We also changed the front tyre as the track temperature went up. I think that gave me the confidence to push the two guys in front. It was good in race two and the team gave me a little bit more power off the turn and it is clear to see how well the bike is working and how much traction I have. Just because of the big long straight here at Miller we have been down a little bit on speed, but I am not dwelling on the negatives. My guys gave me a great bike and I have good confidence now. I do not feel like I am riding on the edge, it is quite controlled, and that is a good thing."

Hiroshi Aoyama (Honda World Superbike Team):
Race result: 17th / DNS Championship position: 16th

"Not an easy race the first one because I had a problem with the front so I could not stop the bike and I ran on two or three times. I was pushing in race two to make a better race than the first one. I pushed too hard and lost the front. I am not sure if I lost the front first and then hit the kerb, or the other way around. I am not happy with crashing and I made the red flag so it is not a nice feeling. I am OK physically so in Misano I want to make a different weekend."

World Superbike and World Supersport 2012
Round 06: Miller Motorsport Park – U.S.A.