Sofuoglu believes Rea will struggle to adapt to Yamaha, more than Razgatlioglu to BMW. Will it really happen like this?
About Matteo Bellan de Motoracing
There is only one round left before the farewell of Jonathan Rhea à Kawasaki. Nine years in common with six driver world titles and as many manufacturers, a great story. But even good stories end and the pilot decides to leave despite a contract also valid for 2024. A consensual resolution which allowed him to sign a two-year contract with Yamaha .
The six-time Superbike world champion did not see the good prospects to continue embracing the project Kawasaki. Despite the team's best efforts, the Ninja ZX-10RR may be a motorcycle that has reached the pinnacle of its development. The Akashi company would probably have to produce a new one to get back on the winning path, but at the moment such an intention does not seem to be there. They hope for future changes in regulations that would allow them to move closer to the top.
« I don't think it will be easy for Rea to adapt to the Yamaha »
Sale believes that the project Yamaha is better and it gives him more confidence for years to come. Seeing that Toprak Razgatlioglu sometimes competed with Alvaro Bautista, he believes he has a better chance of success than he would if he stayed at Kawasaki. Andrea Locatelli also does well with the R1 and even the GRT team drivers sometimes appear in interesting positions. The potential certainly seems greater. Johnny will need to be able to adapt quickly to the new bike.
Kenan Sofuoglu, manager and mentor of Razgatlioglu, think that Sale could encounter difficulties: I don't think it will be easy for him to adapt – he told Speedweek – after nine years with another motorcycle. After four years at Yamaha, at BMW we also have to do a lot of new things, Toprak will have to adapt his style. But for Jonathan, it will be more difficult, in general ».
The World Supersport legend knows that Razgatlioglu will also have to go through a process of adaptation at BMW, but he estimates that it will be much less complicated than that of Sale : “Johnny is one of the most talented in the paddock and will continue to fight for the podium. But beating Bautista and Toprak will be very difficult. Maybe the new challenge will give him extra motivation.” Only time will give us the answers.
