The collision between Jonathan Rea and Alvaro Bautista during race 2 of Magny-Cours has indeed taken the form of a case since Ducati decided to take the facts to court. The firm is following the evaluation of its rider who must have left it there after this accident wanting that the maneuver of the Kawasaki official was intentional. Which completely changes the vision of events. In summary, Bautista is angry, Ducati does not want to stop there and the accused Jonathan Rea, who took 11 points from the Spaniard in the championship in history, is up against Ducati, after having explained himself with his counterpart in the paddock…
The championship WSBK 2022 has taken a new turn since this race 2 of Magny-Cours certainly won by Toprak Razgatlioglu, but above all marked by the events which today fuel an open conflict between Jonathan Rhea et Alvaro Bautista, supported by his employer Ducati who has, so to speak, filed a complaint against the official Kawasaki once the test is over. Incidentally, we note that, for the moment, Akashi's firm is keeping quiet.
Sale was penalized with a long lap following the collision, but still finished fifth in the competition, thus regaining 5 points on his Spanish rival who was eliminated on the count. In view of the unfolding of the facts and its result, Ducati decided to bring the matter before the FIM appeal tribunal. With this idea that the six-time World Champion has stooped to committing a complete attack against his rival in the title race. An interpretation which inevitably bruises the Northern Irishman thus in the crosshairs.
Jonathan Rea: “ I don't think it's very smart for someone high up to say it was intentional. »
After an initial reaction where he mentioned having explained himself with Baptist, Jonathan Rhea sets the table again, but this time to echo Ducati… Before revealing the depth of his thoughts, he recalls his way of seeing the facts: “ I came home, he came back on his line and we touched » thus begins the six-time champion Kawasaki. “ Unfortunately, he crashed, which I'm really sorry about. This was not my intention, I want to make that clear. There was no bad intention on my part. After the race emotions were high, they thought I did it on purpose. It's not like that, I don't drive like that. I went to him and apologized. I gave him my point of view and listened to his ».
The rest is for Ducati : " I am not irresponsible. Everyone can have their own opinion, but you also have to see my point of view. I'm sorry they feel this way. Maybe it’s because emotions were running high or I was getting defensive. These are the races, we drive very fast… Too bad they think so ».
Ducati appealed to the FIM Court of Appeal in Mies, near Geneva, openly considering that the maneuver in race 2 was premeditated and that the sanction was insufficient. “ It's pretty lame and disrespectful to say I did it on purpose. I don't think it's very smart for someone high up to say that was intentional. The race management could have imposed a more severe sanction: double, triple long lap, black flag, drive through. But it was a racing accident. I have nothing to add to convince anyone of my innocence, I can't undo what happened " added Jonathan Rea before closing the ban: “ there is nothing more to say ».
