La rumor of Jonathan Rea replacing Andrea Iannone at Suzuki Ecstar MotoGP did not fail to be mentioned to the person concerned himself after his fourth double of the season in Portimão.
Calming things down, the Kawasaki rider is for the moment showing unfailing loyalty to his current employer, without however confirming or denying whether contact with Suzuki has been…
“I don’t want to comment. I have a contract with Kawasaki in Superbike for the 2018 season. I am happy with the work of my team, I like being here and winning here. I'm delighted with my position and the fact that I have a winning bike. » he told GPone.
He was even more explicit at the microphone of Moto.it : “I will go MotoGP when the Kawasakis go to MotoGP (laughs). I have a contract with Kawasaki for another year and so I don't plan to go to GP, neither this year, nor even the next. There have been contacts between my manager and Aprilia to replace Sam Lowes, but, as I repeat, I have another year of contract with Kawasaki and therefore the discussions have not been in depth. »
Has Suzuki contacted you?
“I have no intention of interrupting my contract with Kawasaki until the end of 2018. We are at the top of Superbike and I am very happy to work with them. My heart is currently linked to Kawasaki and Superbike. Of course, my contract with them expires at the end of 2018, when the contracts of many riders, GP and Superbike, expire, so, if we receive interesting proposals, we will evaluate them. But not now. »
