Rea: “MotoGP is a business, but never say never”

Jason Dupasquier’s death has left an indelible mark on riders around the world, from MotoGP to Superbike, memories of the young Swiss rider still very vivid. And Jonathan Rea also wanted to pay tribute to Dupasquier, dedicating his last win in Portugal to him.

In an interview with Radio Ulster, the world champion talked about what goes through a rider’s head in these circumstances: “Things can go wrong, but it’s something I put to one side. I’ve never thought too much about it. I don’t like to linger on it”. An attitude that is shared by many riders, and one which allows the “show to go on".

Rea and MotoGP, a dream not (yet) realised

The British champion’s achievements elevate him to legendary status: six Superbike world titles, 103 wins, 191 podiums out of a total of 304 races. His name has been linked to MotoGP more than once, but the rumours have never come to anything. And yet, in 2012, Rea did climb aboard a MotoGP bike, during the San Marino and Aragon races, when he stood in for injured Casey Stoner. And he didn’t do badly, scoring an eighth- and a seventh-place finish, which had everyone thinking he’d make the move across, but it never happened.

MotoGP doors appear closed to Jonathan right now, although the six-time champion is keeping his eyes open: “MotoGP seems more like a business, 21 races a year, so you lose your sense of reality. But never say never. If there was an opportunity, I think I’m still in my prime and could do a great job”.

Retirement is a long way off: “I’m in my prime”

Although his ID tells us he’s 34, Rea doesn’t have any intention of hanging up his helmet: “I don’t see myself here at forty, but it’s not yet time to retire. These are the best years of my career. But the time will come when I’ll want to be at the football game cheering on my boys or at an MX track, doing normal things”.

Rea also touches on the current championship, which he is leading with a 35-point lead over Razgatlioglu: “It’s the whole combination - bike, team, race management, tyre management, but also myself, mentally speaking. Outside the track everything’s good. But the young guys are coming and they know what they’re doing, they understand what I’m doing and they’re coming for me”.

Translated by Heather Watson

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