Jonathan Rea prolonged interview – “Alvaro in a unique race”

Jonathan Rea Interview

Jonathan Rea: “The bikes had been fairly completely different at the moment, we had been attempting to in contrast the 2022 bike versus the 23 bike within the afternoon, there’s positives and negatives with each. I choose to stay with the ’23. Sadly whereas I used to be doing a race simulation, lap 14 I received caught out in T4.”

Q: Due to the wind?

Rea: “It’s very gusty you already know, it’s coming sturdy from the again, and I’m on my restrict, pushing clearly, and it was a really sluggish crash, fairly completely different to yesterday, I used to be fairly a method down the nook as I began to launch the brake. I received actually optimistic sensations throughout that run. I used to be capable of, after 13 laps, to remain in 31s which for me was the place I should be to struggle for the rostrum.

“Then after that we evaluated the SC0 rear tyre. Pirelli requested me to make an extended run, to grasp for the Superpole race how that tyre carried out. Once more, the tyre efficiency was good, so from an digital viewpoint I’m actually pleased with the steps we’ve made contained in the crew.”

Q: On the electronics entrance Jonny, you stated with the enhancements you made, is that {hardware} or software program, personnel?

Rea: “A little bit of all the things, not {hardware}, however software program with completely different digital methods, with a brand new digital engineer in Sander Donkers [Engine Engineer & Electronics], and we now have new workers in Christophe Lambert [Electronic Engineers & Data Coordinator]. Each coming from various things with completely different experiences, from an digital viewpoint, so there’s much more inputs. In Kawasaki we had the identical digital engineers for a lifetime. So it’s at all times good to place some new inputs into the field and simply have a unique perspective. I believe that’s actually made the crew take a step ahead – completely different concepts.

“Issues are working good, our bike is behaving extra calm than regular, simply within the bumpy sections I’m struggling rather a lot. By way of sector three, by means of Hayshed, seven, eight and 9. In order that’s one thing to work on, I must get extra weight switch to the entrance to get by means of the Hayshed. I’m a passenger by means of there on the minute, the bike is at all times in delay after I’m altering route. That’s the principle focus for Friday to work on.”

Q: Getting that weight to the entrance throughout impartial and acceleration, not throughout braking you imply?

Rea: “Fixed throttle, after I’m braking I can put the bike in place, however naturally the load switch isn’t onto the entrance like I’d usually have, like I like… So we have to make a bit extra pitching, and I believe that may assist in fairly just a few different areas, just like the final nook, flip two, flip 4 so I’m not having to actually put the bike in place, it’ll fall extra naturally. So we now have a extra clear route than yesterday, the place we have to go. I’m extra happy with the bike than yesterday, however nonetheless some key areas to enhance.

“We made a step in comparison with final yr within the winter time, electronics, acceleration, tyre consumption. We’ve made a step I really feel. However everyone has made a step. Everyone strikes ahead and we’d like extra. We are able to’t simply make a brand new bike, the modifications for 23 are so delicate.

“I want energy, plenty of energy. I’m racing a man that’s probably 15 kg lighter than me, with a motorcycle with a lot energy.  Final yr you already know, it was the identical story, to be on the restrict each single nook, each single lap, simply to lose a lot time within the straight, you’ll be able to’t magically repair this. So after all we have to enhance, we’d like a a lot sooner engine, as a result of the deficit we now have within the straight and the acceleration is an excessive amount of. However it’s the identical story. Now we have improved, so I’m grateful, I’m grateful for the efforts they’ve made. As a result of with these rules, manufacturing firms making homologation bikes, mass manufacturing, it’s so tough to enhance, so I don’t suppose we’ll discover a magic step. We have to enhance this space.

“I believe we are able to struggle for the rostrum, I actually really feel like we are able to in the perfect of the remainder struggle. I believe Alvaro is clearly in a unique league, he’s going to be in a unique race already. He has such a bonus right here. Not simply right here with energy, he’s doing a very good job, using the bike properly, the bike is working properly, and he’s clearly at one. However I believe we will be combating for the perfect of the remainder.”

Q: For therefore lengthy you had been the favorite for the World Championship, possibly this yr it’s Alvaro.

Rea: “I’m excited, the stress is gone. In 2021 I misplaced the championship by nothing to Toprak, 13-points or one thing. After final yr, I received beat so unhealthy by Alvaro, he was strolling to the championship from midway by means of the season. So after all, we have to step up, however that’s thrilling, that’s a unique place than previously. It’s extra, we settle for the place we’re and wish to enhance. It’s a unique mentality. Simply attempting to work with the crew to enhance and hope to struggle for as many race wins as I can.”

Q: One of many issues you had final yr was with the new temperatures, do you’re employed additionally on this downside?

Rea: “No as a result of we check in Jerez and Portimao, in 25-30 levels within the observe, most, so we don’t know. What I do know is that after I look lap by lap, I simply test my rhythm is sort of good. Neglect Alvaro, the remainder, with Locatelli, Rinaldi possibly, my rhythm is there with these guys to struggle on the entrance for the rostrum. So if possibly we now have made a step within the warmth. Final years race, it may need saved me as a result of it was fairly cool. I believe this yr if we will be on the rostrum right here with sizzling circumstances I believe we’ve actually confirmed we’ve made a step ahead. I imply podiums are going to be an awesome consequence this weekend.”

Phillip Island WorldSBK Race Schedule