This 2022 season will not be like the previous six for Jonathan Rea who will indeed begin hostilities as a challenger for the title. He will not wear the number 1 but a 65 which he has not presented for 7 years. A cycle with Kawasaki was closed by a formidable Toprak Razgatlioglu with his Yamaha. However, the Northern Irishman warns his ten years junior at 34 that nothing is over. His story, and that of his team, is still to be told, he says. Moreover, he pays a real tribute to his team which, through strong words, will be galvanized when it comes time to return to the front...
It will be in April, in Aragon, and in the meantime, the men in green serving Jonathan Rhea will be able to recharge their batteries in this intervention by the six-time World Champion unearthed on speedweek. We will recall that the man with the ZX-10R is at the head of 112 victories and 215 podiums on 341 race starts. The records that Jonathan Rhea established since 2015 speak for themselves.
The factory team Kawasaki became the Northern Irishman's second family after seven years. The fact that Sale lost to Yamaha ace Toprak Razgatlioglu after six consecutive world championships in the 2021 Superbike World Championship does not change that. Sale knows that without his team and the people who make it up. This is the real secret of its success.
« When I talk about my team, I talk about a very special team that runs like a well-oiled machine. All gears mesh perfectly. Everyone knows what each other is doing and only they know what we had to go through during this period: because we went through it together ", said Sale with gratitude. “ It starts with my wife Tarsh, who supports me at home on good days or bad. On the track, it's Kev and Fab who are there for me behind the scenes no matter how things go ».
Rea reveals the most important reason why he will continue with Kawasaki
Sale Talk about Kev Handerland, who has been his personal assistant since 2015 and also drives the campervan to the circuits. “Fab” is Fabien Foret, with whom Sale discusses all sports matters. “ Plus, it's all the other team members. Every mechanic who works tirelessly on my motorcycle, or Pere, who analyzes the data on the computer, or my electronics engineer Davide, who saves my ass with his work. All together constitute a large part of success and are the most important reason why I will continue with Kawasaki “, underlined the world record champion.
He adds : " I am very grateful for the chance you give me. When we traveled together, they helped me win my first world title and I think together we have the strongest partnership that has ever existed in racing. The Kawasaki Racing Team is the best team you could ask for ».
Sale extended his contract with Kawasaki and the parties have agreed not to disclose the term. It can be assumed that the record world champion will determine the end of the contract. “ I'm really excited to see what we can accomplish together. I feel like our story hasn't been told yet ", ended Sale.
