Rea leaves Kawasaki

[KungFooBob]

Stolen from the WSBK Friendface feed...

[tricol]

Yamaha bound then. That will be interesting!

[KungFooBob]

My first thought was Topraks seat at Yamaha (if it's not been filled yet), but then if I were Rea would I think the Yam is only as competitive as the Kawasaki anyway and I'd need. Ducati, even a non-factory one to have a chance of another championship.

[ChrisW]

Strongly expected to be Yamaha

https://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/re ... /10514999/

[mangocrazy]

I wish him luck, but I can't see the Yamaha being any more competitive than the Kawasaki. If Toprak couldn't consistently beat Bautista on the Ducati, I don't see Jonny managing it. Maybe it's a pension top-up before he retires?

[wull]

[ChrisW]

Maybe Kawasaki weren't offering two years?

[Skub]

I can't see the Yamaha being any more of a challenge to Bautista,but perhaps there were other factors.

[wull]

Maybe Kawasaki weren't offering two years?

They were but had said they would not stop him from going elsewhere if he wanted to.

[Bigyin]

I can't see the Yamaha being any more of a challenge to Bautista,but perhaps there were other factors.

Yamaha have a MotoGP wild card opportunity, Kawasaki don’t and won’t have for the foreseeable future

[Skub]

I can't see the Yamaha being any more of a challenge to Bautista,but perhaps there were other factors.

Yamaha have a MotoGP wild card opportunity, Kawasaki don’t and won’t have for the foreseeable future

I don't know if that would be a factor in leaving the big K,Motogp is no country for old men. But maybe he'd like the chance to trail around at the rear like Morbidelli.

[mangocrazy]

I can't see the Yamaha being any more of a challenge to Bautista,but perhaps there were other factors.

Yamaha have a MotoGP wild card opportunity, Kawasaki don’t and won’t have for the foreseeable future

That boat sailed at least ten years go, probably nearer fifteen.

[Yorick]

I can't see the Yamaha being any more of a challenge to Bautista,but perhaps there were other factors.

Yamaha have a MotoGP wild card opportunity, Kawasaki don’t and won’t have for the foreseeable future

That boat sailed at least ten years go, probably nearer fifteen.

He's 2 years younger than Bautista

[mangocrazy]

Yamaha have a MotoGP wild card opportunity, Kawasaki don’t and won’t have for the foreseeable future

That boat sailed at least ten years go, probably nearer fifteen.

He's 2 years younger than Bautista

Only 1 year younger - Bautista is 38. And AB rose up through the GP 125 and 250 classes which led to his getting a MotoGP ride, unlike JR who's always been on Production-based machinery.

[Yorick]

That boat sailed at least ten years go, probably nearer fifteen.

He's 2 years younger than Bautista

Only 1 year younger - Bautista is 38. And AB rose up through the GP 125 and 250 classes which led to his getting a MotoGP ride, unlike JR who's always been on Production-based machinery.

Being pedantic, Rea is 36

[mangocrazy]

Ha! I was relying on the motorsport.com link above that said 'The 37-year-old Northern Irish rider'...

So never believe what you read on the web...

[Bigyin]

I can't see the Yamaha being any more of a challenge to Bautista,but perhaps there were other factors.

Yamaha have a MotoGP wild card opportunity, Kawasaki don’t and won’t have for the foreseeable future

That boat sailed at least ten years go, probably nearer fifteen.

I never said a full ride but a test isn’t out of the question. If that goes swimmingly who knows. The switch to Pirelli tyres would also help him on any test he was given whereas Toprak had to adapt to Michelin for his foray on a GP bike

[mangocrazy]

Yamaha have a MotoGP wild card opportunity, Kawasaki don’t and won’t have for the foreseeable future

That boat sailed at least ten years go, probably nearer fifteen.

I never said a full ride but a test isn’t out of the question. If that goes swimmingly who knows. The switch to Pirelli tyres would also help him on any test he was given whereas Toprak had to adapt to Michelin for his foray on a GP bike

I thought it was only Moto2 and Moto3 that are switching to Pirelli. Don't Michelin have a MotoGP contract until at least the end of 2026?

[Bigyin]

I thought it was only Moto2 and Moto3 that are switching to Pirelli. Don't Michelin have a MotoGP contract until at least the end of 2026?

You’re right, I must have misread something as I thought it was all classes but the big boys are staying with Michelin to 26

[KungFooBob]

Do we think Rinaldi will get the vacant KRT seat?