Jonathan Rea admits he was a little disappointed with last season, but he seems confident about the future with Yamaha.
About Matteo Bellan de Motoracing
2023 was the last year of Jonathan Rhea with Kawasaki, the worst in terms of results. He has never fought for the title and, not seeing the possibility of achieving it in 2024, he requested to be released early from his contract in order to sign with Yamaha . The good relations between him and KRT allow him to take on a new challenge. Only time will tell if his choice was the right one. First impressions of the R1 have been very positive and this bodes well for the future.
Also interviewed by the official WorldSBK website, the Northern Irish rider looks back on last season: “ the best moment was Most, the victory in Race 1. I hadn't won for a long time and I had the opportunity. The worst was in Indonesia: we were far away, not competitive and it was a complicated weekend ».
Jonathan Rea: “ I expected a lot more from myself. I'm a little disappointed with certain moments of my season »
Who was the best driver of 2023? Sale mentions two names: Toprak Razgatlioglu. And of course, Alvaro Bautista too ". And when he has to point out what disappointed him the most, he criticizes himself: “ I expected a lot more from myself. I'm a little disappointed with certain moments of my season ».
One word to describe 2023: “ Surprising – he explains – because Toprak leaves Yamaha, I leave Kawasaki and I struggled a lot. A big surprise this year ". Will it be faster with Yamaha ou Razgatlioglu with BMW in 2024? Johnny has no doubt: “ me with Yamaha ».
Both rivals were positively surprised by the first tests with the new bikes, but it is too early to make any predictions. The favorite to win the Superbike title will always be Alvaro Bautista, which remains on Ducati and will try to confirm himself as champion even with the new regulation which will force him to race with a few kilos of ballast on his Panigale V4 R.
