Jonathan Rhea is not in MotoGP, but he dominates his subject to such an extent in Superbike that he cannot be taken as a negligible quantity when we talk about this motorcycle champion on the track. Four times consecutively titled in his category, he boasts 70 victories and 133 podiums. He therefore does not go unnoticed and even if, like everyone else, he thought of the Grands Prix to demonstrate his talent, he had to choose another trajectory. Which does not prevent him from having an opinion on what he could have done there, and in particular by comparing himself with his compatriot Cal Crutchlow.
They are both subjects of his gracious majesty since the official Kawasaki is on the British side of Ireland. They got to know each other in Superbike and even had the opportunity to compete in this peloton with motorcycles derived from the series. But the Englishman left for MotoGP with Tech3 Yamaha, leaving Sale alone with his illusions regarding Honda… “ I raced against Cal and I definitely beat him more than he dominated me. And today he is doing very well in MotoGP ».
« I'm happy to have been able to race against him, and now he's riding very well. I have great respect for him, he does great things, he is among the three or four most successful riders in MotoGP. He is definitely among the fastest ". But there is also this feeling… “ When I look at him, I tell myself that in his place, I could have done it too and done it better ».
Public chat Motorsport, he however develops: “ I'm not jealous. I'm proud of him. I am one of the most popular drivers in the UK, I am very happy with my life in general. Everyone chose their own path and mine led me to be a four-time Superbike World Champion. ».
And coming from Superbike is not easy to succeed in MotoGP. There have been Colin Edwards, Troy Bayliss, Ben Spies or even Eugene Laverty and the fortunes were as diverse as they were varied. Cal Crutchlow, given his career, is therefore doing very well. It will be recalled that Sale tasted the HRC Honda by replacing Stoner injured in 2012, and he did not disappoint during his freelance work.
