From 2015 to 2018, Jonathan Rea and the Kawasaki Racing Team completely dominated the Superbike World Championship, winning four riders' titles and four manufacturers' titles. All his opponents recognize that Johnny is an outstanding champion, but he would not be here without the impeccable technical support of KRT provided by the brothers Biel and Guim Roda.
The competition department of KHI (Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the parent company which also manufactures boats, planes and trains) based in Akashi in Japan entrusts its interests in Superbike to the Spanish structure Provec of the Roda brothers located Carrer Can Cabanyes, 71 in Granollers near Barcelona.
Biel is more particularly in charge of Marketing and Communication, while Guim is the Team Manager, who was a driver in the past and even won the “2002 hores Motociclistes de Catalunya” in 24 with Álex Hervás and David Tomás.
Biel, your Catalan team managed to take and keep Northern Irish rider Johnny Rea and his Ninja ZX-10RR to the top, dominating the Championship for the last 4 years. What do you think of the new Kawasaki approved for this year?
“The basis of the bike is the same, KHI has gone up an extra step on the engine side. The engine specifications are expected to make the bike even more competitive by improving balance compared to previous years. We will see if the theory becomes reality. »
What will Leon Haslam bring to the KRT team? Should he finish in the race behind Johnny Rea, or does he have the right to win the regular way?
“He doesn’t have the right to win, he has the obligation to win races!” Leon arrives as winner of the last BSB. He is an excellent driver, very focused and experienced. And as he has a very good bike and top technicians, he is sure that he will obtain great results. »
The new Ducati 1000 V4 is the big event of the start of the season. His first tests were quite good. Do you think she can win before the middle of the season?
“Believe me, the people at Ducati don't make bikes just to be competitive, they make bikes to win. It is by far the manufacturer with the most Superbike victories so far.
“They have a significant transfer of technology from MotoGP, top riders and great engineers, and they are investing a lot of resources. It is certain that Davies et Baptist will be ahead quickly. »
There are increased efforts for BMW and Honda. It's good for the Championship, but are these manufacturers potential opponents for Kawasaki this year?
“We have a proverb in Catalan which says “the more there are, the more we laugh”, so it's absolutely good for the Championship. When you look at the level of BMW, their base bike is incredible from a technical point of view. They have Mr. Sykes who is a super fast rider and good for the development of the bike. But the team, the bike and the riders are new to each other, and we'll see if they are able to get that half-second per lap.
“About Honda, there is no doubt that if Honda makes the necessary effort, they will be in front. To be honest, I don't know much about their organization for the next few years. »
Alvaro Bautista finished 5th in MotoGP in Germany and Japan, and 4th at Phillip Island in 2018. Are you worried about his Ducati?
“It’s fantastic that a rider as fast as Alvaro is joining WSBK. He is a former World Champion and has the “good Superbike spirit” as a person. Like I said Ducati is trying hard, that's why they're bringing it. Having said that, we are not worried, we just continue to work to improve the KRT package.
“What is true is that winning 4 years in a row is not normal. Sooner or later they're going to beat us, we're just trying to make sure it's as late as possible."
Is the third Superbike sprint race on Sunday morning a good thing?
“I am a Marketing man and I am not sure what my technicians, engineers and drivers think, but I have full confidence in Dorna who is the best motorsport organizer in the World.
“If they think it’s going to make the show better, once that’s decided, let’s do it.” The races on Saturday also raised a lot of questions, but it turned out to be very good once we got used to it. »
Ana Carrasco, World Champion last year in Supersport 300, is putting her title back on the line within your Provec Racing team. You already have a lot of work with WSBK, why increase it further with a presence of Provec Racing in Supersport 300?
“That's a good question, and I know the answer because my wife once asked me when she found out it would involve more work! We were already a little involved last year with the DS Team. What they did was fantastic.
“The easiest thing would be to say : “Well, she became World Champion, job well done, so goodbye! » But we love this sport and everyone on the Provec team is in love with Ana. Even Mr. Sale is his biggest fan!
“Ana wanted us to do it. Alvar, our Technical Director, is having fun preparing the bike like a kid. As a private and unofficial team, Guim can “play” with more freedom, as in Provec's debut.
“Apart from that, we are setting up an entirely different structure than the KRT, so there will be no distractions for the KRT staff. So even if we have very limited resources to develop this private project, I don't know...
“I have two twin girls aged 3, they will definitely be proud of their father in the years to come when they know that I participated in Ana's success. We think we should try to continue creating the story with Ana…and here we go! »
Biel (left) and Guim Roda
Ana Carrasco, Johnny Rea, Valentino Rossi and Leon Haslam
Photos © Kawasaki, Provec Racing
