Kawasaki rider Rea was at the centre of controversy at the French track after colliding with Bautista’s Ducati at Chateau d’Eau on the second lap of the race while trying to pass for second behind eventual winner Toprak Razgatlioglu.
The move put Bautista in the gravel and out of the race while Rea was able to continue after serving a long-lap penalty, eventually finishing fifth.
