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Jonathan Rea Admits No Chance At MotoGP, To Focus Professional Motocross After WSBK

Jonathan Rea revealed plans to move to professional motocross once he leaves the WorldSBK Championship.

Rea admitted the doors to MotoGP have closed despite winning the WSBK six years in a row.

“To leave Superbike… it would need to be something that sets me on fire, as I’m comfortable in the Superbike environment.

“To consider something else – like MotoGP – I would need something concrete, like a factory bike, and this has never materialised. I don’t think the opportunity will come now that I am 33. SBK is my world and I’m happy. Then after the races I enjoy my little ones,” said Rea.

Rea did have a go at MotoGP in 2012 when he replaced the injured Casey Stoner at Repsol Honda. The rider finished 8th at Misano and 7th at Aragon before returning to SBK duties.

The British rider joins Kawasaki in 2015 as Tom Sykes new teammate and won his WSBK title after recording 14 wins.

Rea retained the title in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, becoming the first rider to win six successive SBK champions.

According to Rea, despite retiring from WSBK one day, he would like to keep himself match fit via motocross.

“I would like to enjoy Anaheim Supercross. Also, I have a desire to do a national motocross championship race after retiring, probably something in Northern Ireland, like a championship race in Ulster.

“I ride my dirt bike quite regularly, so I’d love to do that,” he added. – GPOne

A passionate football fan and anything two-wheels. He likes to commute on his 150cc scooter on a daily basis and occasionally takes a long trip with his 750cc machine just to "tapau" his favourite "roti canai". With a journalism background, he likes to write as much as he rides.

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