The 8 Hours of Suzuka pending the critical condition of Gino Rea

The paddock of the 8 Hours of Suzuka, the most important endurance event in the world for Japanese factories, is awaiting the health status of former English Moto2 Giro Rea, 32, an FCC TSR Honda rider, who is in critical condition in a nearby hospital where he was airlifted from the track after suffering a serious accident on the number 5 bike in FP3 before the Superpole.

According to state agency Kyodo News, citing police sources, the 32-year-old pilot was seriously injured in the head, ribs and lungs and was in a coma. On a track in mixed conditions, Rea suffered a serious accident in the area of ​​the Triangle, the chicane before the straight finish. The motorcycle crashed into the wall, he was lying on the ground unconscious and was evacuated by helicopter-ambulance to a nearby hospital.

In a statement from the FIM EWC championship, they pointed out that “Gino Rea, motorcycle rider number 5 of FCC TSR Honda France, was hospitalized after an accident in free practice 2 of the 43rd Suzuka 8-hour endurance race, third round of the FIM Endurance World Championship. Rea received initial treatment on the track before being taken to hospital by helicopter. An update on the rider’s condition will follow when more information is available.”

Rea aboard the #5 Honda he shares with Josh Hook and Mike di Meglio set the fourth fastest time (2:06.204) in the 40-minute timed session. The pole was scored by Team HRC, the first since 2009, thanks to Tetsuta Nagashima, who once again put his team on top with his 2:04.936, and together with Takumi Takahashi and Iker Lecuona will fight for the title. Behind them was the Kawasaki (2:05.149) of Jonathan Rea, Alex Lowes and Leon Haslam and the Yamaha YART team of Karel Hanika, Niccolò Canepa and Marvin Fritz.