Rea’s Yamaha Debut: Rain, Crash, Optimism

Six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea had an eventful first day testing his new Yamaha at Jerez.

Despite a minor crash at Turn 13, Rea stayed positive as he transitions from Kawasaki to Yamaha for the 2024 season.

Rea posted an impressive top time of 1’40.302s, going fourth-fastest on a rain-interrupted day. However, he only managed 12 laps due to rain and the crash.

Rea reflected on the crash, saying he’s okay and it was due to hitting a wet patch while trying to avoid another rider. He found it easy to accept since it wasn’t a limit-pushing mistake.

He expressed gratitude to his new team, the Pata Yamaha Prometeon squad, for making him feel at home. Their positive atmosphere and a warm welcome dinner made a great impression.

Despite pre-test nerves, Rea found many positives in his outing. He adapted well, even in less than ideal weather conditions.

Rea emphasized the importance of riding in the wet to adapt to the new bike and team.

He’s set to continue testing on Wednesday and sees this phase as about getting comfortable with the Yamaha R1 before diving into hardware and electronic adjustments.

As Rea begins this new chapter with Yamaha, he remains optimistic, eager to build a strong foundation for the upcoming season. WorldSBK fans eagerly anticipate his performances with the new team and bike.