Six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea appeared lost during Friday Practice 𝓡at Phillip Island after issues resulted in him having limited track time.

Many riders were impacted by the weather cond⛎itions, but Rea was last to set a flying lap ꦦin FP2.

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The former Kawasaki rider did not set a lap time until eight minutes to go, and as a result Rea was un🐼able to find enough pace to trou𝓡ble the top times.

“It’s been a super difficult day; as you can see, I didn’t do many laps on track,” said Rea. “I didn’t know with the weather to be honest but we suffered some issues straight away this morni🐲ng, probably continuing on from the test.

“We struggled to pinpoint exactly what it is; the bike is very difficult to ride. We’re trying to rule out the problems and we’re changiꦬng the setup of the bike quite a lot but not touching on it.

“Fundamentally, something is not right✤ and it’s not exactly how I imagined day one of the season to start but we are where we are and I have full confidence in the team to find the root of the issue and try to be stronger tomorrow.

“We’re so fಌar away to be thinking about a chance. First, we need to have a good feeling with the bike and then nail the pitstop and see where we are. Hopefully, we can sta🧔rt in the right way.”

As part of 🧔the elimination process to find what the issues are, Rea said they are trying different items but that the curr💎ent situation is ‘unacceptable’.

“We’re working as a team through the items, trying to eradicate it,” said Rea. “Right now, it’s💙 unacceptable; something’s not right and we need to find the problem.

“I’ve been told I can’t say too much but it🐓’s frustrating for me as well as I’d love to say the full story… it’s been a difficult day, one of 🍌the most difficult.

“I have full belief in the guys t🍒hat we’ll find it but it’s not how I dreamed of starting the World Championship.

“We’re really on the backfoot;♌ I knew that when I was runnꦇing out of time, I had to register a lap time. Maybe they were the sketchiest three laps I’ve ever done!

“Even with the issue, I’m not riding the R1 in the best way, but I♛ need to get the bike close enough to me to exploit my strengths.

“We need to find the issue other𝐆wise it’ll be the hardest ra𒅌ce of my life.”