Jonathan Rea Evaluating Factory MotoGP Options For 2019
Rennie Scaysbrook | May 31, 2018
Jonathan Rea Evaluating Factory MotoGP Options For 2019—WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea is considering a swap to the MotoGP series in 2019. However, he but has made it clear he would only make the change “with the right package”.
Jonathan Rea Evaluating Factory MotoGP Options For 2019
Rea is managed by American racing stalwart Chuck Aksland, who was at the recent French MotoGP at Le Mans chatting to various MotoGP teams on his rider’s behalf. Rea himself has stated a desire to remain with the Kawasaki Racing Team. He has taken the past three WorldSBK Championships with the team.
Rea has previously raced in MotoGP on two occasions. In 2012, he replaced the injured Casey Stoner at Repsol Honda at Aragon and Misano, scoring top-10 positions in both outings.
As for the available 2019 factory seats in the GP paddock, Rea is running out of options. Ducati looks likely to exercise its option on either Jack Miller or Danilo Petrucci to replace Jorge Lorenzo alongside Andrea Dovizioso. And Suzuki is rumored to have signed Joan Mir to replace Andrea Iannone and partner Alex Rins.
Aprilia has signed Aleix Espargaro and is looking to lure Iannone; Yamaha has since locked in Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales and KTM have signed Johann Zarco and Pol Espargaro.
Repsol Honda is a possible candidate for Rea. He could replace the yet unsigned Dani Pedrosa and partner Marc Marquez, although this appears somewhat unlikely. Tech3 KTM has signed Miguel Oliveira with Hafiz Syahrin likely to retain his ride within the team for 2019. It would thus not be surprising if Rea stayed put in WorldSBK.
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