The WSBK season kicked off this morning at Phillip Island with a first verdict from the track. But behind the scenes, hostilities have also been taking place with, already, the subject of the future of the boss of the category, Jonathan Rea. The Northern Irishman is a terror in this paddock identical to what Marc Márquez represents in MotoGP. In 2020, the man is aiming for a sixth consecutive title and still with Kawasaki. Like the Spaniard with Honda, is a new lease with the Akashi factory promised? Yes, but only a priori…
Jonathan Rhea launched its 2020 season at Phillip Island facing adversaries who have become even stronger. Precisely, he focuses on the battle to come and less on his future after this year: “ the championship opens, I'm thinking about the strategy to score as many points as possible in this first round, I'm not talking about the future on this occasion. I will choose the best opportunity for me » commented the pilot Kawasaki.
The last sentence suggests an open mind to all proposals. The presence at Phillip Island of his manager Cuck Aksland aroused curiosity which the latter thus reinforced: “ there is no truth, I speak on many subjects. I don't come to Superbike often,If I am here, there are valid reasons. I think that in a few months you will know the future of Jonathan Rea. He's a winning driver who wants a winning package. We need to understand whether Kawasaki, in 2021, will focus on a new project or simple updates to the current ZX-10RR. This is what interests us »
At Kawasaki, we observe all this with the well-established idea of not letting go of our champion. The contract of Jonathan Rhea, 33, will expire at the end of the season. It is clear that such a champion will tempt many people in the paddock: “ he could go anywhere, in MotoGP, Superbike… Who wouldn't take him? » declares the man from Kawasaki Riba pears. " But he is not only fast, he is also a smart boy. It will manage the future with the same computing capacity that makes the difference on the track. He will evaluate a thousand factors: age, the bike, the team, expectations. He’s at home here, and he cares about his family… »
In 2021, Kawasaki will launch a new Superbike, in MotoGP style, following the path already taken by Ducati and Honda. A key element that could convince him to continue his green journey... And against everyone...
