The fact that Rea was still in contention for an FIM Endurance World Championship top-three finish at the legendary Belgian track owed plenty to the London-born rider’s refusal to give up.
His F.C.C. TSR Honda France team had been leading after 15 hours of racing, but a broken chain left Rea stranded on track and with no alternative but to push his stricken bike back to the pits, where rapid repairs ensured the recovery charge could begin from outside the top 10.
Ad Third place at Spa ensured Rea and team-mates Mike Di Meglio and Josh Hook arrived in Japan for August’s Suzuka 8 Hours firmly in the EWC title fight.
But they were braced for a tough race in the heat and humidity of the Japanese summer – and against the might of several leading local stars and top World Superbike riders.