Rea eyes MotoGP ride
Jonathan Rea’s prospect of riding in MotoGP in 2014 seems to be growing every week, with both HRC and PBM eyeing the Northern Irishman.
The Pata Honda rider looks like he is finally being rewarding for consistantly out performing his Honda Fireblade CBR1000 in the World Superbike paddock.
Rea has confirmed he is in talks about a change of paddock, however a ride with Honda isn’t as nailed on as people would think.
Speaking to BikeSportNews, Rea said: “I had some meetings with Honda Motor when I was in Suzuka and they asked me what I wanted to do. I told them I would like to ride a prototype bike but right now it is not an option because both rider have contracts.
“They say they really want to help me. We are communicating with Europe and also HRC to see if it can be possible for me to ride a prototype bike in the future. But also I have to look outside the box as well. I’ve been a Honda guy all through my career but it doesn’t mean that when you cut me in half it reads Honda in the middle.
“It just so happens that every year, I’ve had the best opportunity to stay here in World Superbikes. Right now my management is having talks with other people as well, looking outside the box. I’m talking to some CRT teams that are looking forward to stepping up. There are a few opportunities out there that I’m waiting for and talking to. I don’t want to name who but some are really keen.”
With Gresini and LCR’s prorotypes tied up, Rea may be left with the option of the Honda production racer with the PBM team after talks took place after Laguna Seca, and HRC, and Suppo wouldn’t want to loose Rea yet.
Speaking with MCN Suppo said: “Jonathan has proven to be very loyal with Honda and personally I would like to see him in MotoGP because last year he did a good job and I think he deserves a chance. When we speak to teams we need to understand which kind of riders they would like to put on the bike and Jonathan is always on the list.”
Despite him wanting the move, Rea isn’t desperate to leave WSBK for any ol’ ride just yet.
“Right now it is nice to race for a win, to be competitive in this class. It feels like I am on a platform waiting for a train that never comes so what we were talking about with Honda Motor last week might be an option for 2015,” said Rea.
“I just have to consider everything really. In this paddock it seems like everything is quite slow; a lot of people are talking and are interested but until they get budgets signed off and okays from manufacturers to sign riders, there are no contracts being thrown around.”