Jonathan Rea is turning 35 with a track record in his bag that makes him one of the legends of WSBK. Even if he was beaten in 2021 by the enthusiasm, youth, and talent of Toprak Razgatlioglu, he remains a reference in his category. With such a record of service, many regret that he did not get his chance in MotoGP. He still tasted it, which allowed him to see that what he experienced there in 2012 no longer has anything to do with what is happening there currently. And the things that have been seen there in the past probably have no chance of happening again. The Northern Irishman, who represents the Kawasaki colors so well, explains…
Jonathan Rhea was invited to hop on the MotoGP bandwagon in his career, but it was only for a few matches. He could never get his ticket to a real career path. We were in 2012, and he was not unworthy, given his final ranking. But the one who marks the history of WSBK focuses above all on the differences of the time, to better highlight what is happening today in Grand Prix... " At the time, I finished seventh, 30 seconds behind first. Today 30 seconds is too long "Comments Sale. " The difference between first and last is very small, the rules are good and all drivers can be fast. It's not like 10 years ago, when if you were 30 seconds late you were in the top 10. Today if you take 30 seconds you are last ».
Et Sale specifies that it goes so quickly that it is better not to be absent for too long, otherwise you will definitely lose the rhythm: “ just look at what Crutchlow did in 2021. Even if you've been out of racing for a short time, when you come back, it's pretty tough. Marc Marquez lost most of the 2020 season and when he returned in 2021 he struggled ».
Jonathan Rea: “ Bayliss was the best story that will never repeat itself«
But that's not all: unlike in the past, no motorcycle guarantees good results, as was the case 10 or 15 years ago: " motorcycles are technically closer. In addition, the satellite teams are now very well supported by the manufacturers. On a good day you win, then difficult times can happen and an example is Miguel Oliveira. Currently in MotoGP it is easy to have a bad weekend and finish outside the top 10. MotoGP is in a golden era, everyone is very close and you can't afford to have a bad weekend when you're fighting for the title ».
So you get what you pay for, but past exploits now belong to the Bronze Age. So, seeing a Superbike World Champion take a stand during the last Grand Prix of the season and take victory, such Troy bayliss in 2006, belongs to a time that has definitely passed: “ Bayliss was the best story that will never repeat itself. At least I think “, he commented in an interview with Motorsport.com. " In the past, there were wildcards in MotoGP or 500cc, like in Japan. These pilots were sometimes very strong and managed to achieve good results. But now it's more difficult. You can't get on this bike and be in front ". A point of view from which we may perhaps draw inspiration Toprak Razgatlioglu in his consideration of joining MotoGP in 2023.
