Jonathan Rea talks about his career and the new challenge in the 2022 WSBK season – Rea is not wasting thoughts on retirement at the moment
In February Jonathan Rea celebrated his 35th birthday. In the World Superbike Championship, the record champion is one of the veterans. But Rea can still keep up with the young generation of riders. That’s why he doesn’t see the end of his career coming yet.
According to Rea, there is no lack of motivation even before the start of the 2022 season. “It’s identical if you want to defend the title or if you want to beat someone to get the title back. My motivation is at its peak,” the Northern Irishman clarifies.
The retirement of long-term rival Chaz Davies in September 2021 took Rea by surprise. “It was strange when Chaz resigned. He was the biggest rival in my career. I wanted to go to him and ask him if this feeling keeps building from season to season or if one day it comes, you wake up and tell yourself enough is enough,” commented the Kawasaki rider.
“For me, that time will come, but it’s not there yet. I don’t see that time coming yet either,” Rea clarifies, adding, “As long as I’m fighting for wins and having fun, I’ll still be riding. “
In the 2022 WSBK season, Rea will compete with the number 65 for the first time since 2015. Can he prevail against world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu and reclaim the number 1? “I wonder if Toprak is the rider to beat. You would be foolish to bet against him. He’s going into the season as the favourite,” notes Rea.
“I’m curious to see how strong he’ll be in 2022,” muses Rea, expecting the rumours of a possible MotoGP promotion to be a distraction for Razgatlioglu. Razgatlioglu is expected to test the MotoGP Yamaha in the coming months and move to the premier class in 2023.
Until then, however, Razgatlioglu still has work to do in the World Superbike Championship. “In the World Superbike Championship you can never be sure. Toprak is the favourite, but in the 2021 season many riders made it to the podium – some unexpectedly. I expect a similar season. The former rookies now have more experience and better bikes. The manufacturers have more knowledge,” Rea looks forward to his 14th season in the World Superbike Championship.
