It's definitely a page in the history of the Superbike category, in addition to that of Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki, which will be made this weekend in Jerez. Indeed, the end of the season will also mark the end of a fruitful nine-year collaboration between the Northern Irishman and the Akashi brand, a duo who dominated their subject to the point of marking the category. Before discovering a Yamaha R1 left by Toprak Razgatlioglu for a BMW, the one who will be replaced by the hopeful Axel Bassani does not deny that this Spanish deadline will be charged with emotion.
Jonathan Rhea is now aged 36 years and he is under contract with Kawasaki since 2015. During this period he achieved fantastic records with six consecutive world titles and 119 victories and 262 podiums across all brands. A new chapter will begin for Johnny next Tuesday, when he pilots the Yamaha R1 for the first time in Jerez.
But before that, there will be this weekend which will be of great importance for the six-time world champion, his team and all the members of the team KRT. Everyone's priority will be to work to conclude this incredibly fruitful collaboration with the best possible outcome. Jonathan Rea has already won a race in 2023, despite a relatively difficult start to the season, and has increased his momentum, as well as his number of podiums, as the year has gone on. He now has seventeen podiums, including this victory at the Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic at the end of July.
Jonathan Rea: “ I really want to finish the year strong for my team »
He finds himself in third place in the championship standings. WSBK before the final race, with 50 points ahead of the fourth driver. “ It's a strange feeling going to Jerez knowing it's my last race with the KRT team and I'm sure it will be an emotional weekend with the team » he comments. “ On the track we will try to do our best. It's a circuit that may have been difficult for us, but we also shared some fantastic moments there, winning races. This is also where I won my first world championship with Kawasaki ».
« We did a lot of testing there this winter, so we have a good idea of the settings. Of course, the Ninja ZX-10RR has evolved over the year and we've been moving in the right direction. I really want to finish the year strong for my team. We are still fighting for third place in the championship. The main goal of the weekend is to enjoy the bike and do our best, but also to make sure we get that third place in the world championship »Adds Sale.
Then he finishes: “ I really want to try and enjoy the weekend with my team. Throughout the preparation for the weekend, throughout the weekend and, of course, after the race, we will reflect on the incredible collaboration we had. I'm sure it will be an exciting time. I hope I can give the best of myself and make my team proud ».
