Jonathan Rhea he was born a winner. He six-time world champion He is considered the best driver in the history of the competition for the one who won the most titles, the one who achieved the most victories, the most podiums and the fastest laps. That’s why he doesn’t hesitate to admit that now that he’s not winning, he’s accepting something else. When you see him, even on a computer screen, you realize that a winner can not live relegated to a second step. In fact, the Northern Irishman doesn’t hide it: if he doesn’t have a motorcycle to compete with, he doesn’t neglect to pack his bags. In a chat with MD, the Kawasaki rider recalls his successes, though not with nostalgia, examines his complicated present and talks about a future full of unknowns.
How do you approach a season that began with so many complications?
“It was a difficult start to the World Cup. We expected difficulties but not at the level of those we experienced in Australia and Indonesia. In Assen and Barcelona, slightly more competitive. We had a test in Jerez that hopefully will give us important information for the next rounds.”
After years of fighting for everything, how do you get other kinds of goals?
“It’s just a new normality that we have to adjust to. It’s a different challenge, easier to face every weekend. Logically, the beginning was very difficult, we were in a constant win, win and win situation and when it happens because it’s so hard, you’ll be disappointed. But that’s normal, we’re not the benchmark anymore. It’s quite exciting to try to develop the bike and move forward. As I told you, it’s a new challenge.
Among the various challenges you mentioned, do you appreciate more what you have achieved in the six years (2015-2020) where you were unparalleled?
“Yes, it certainly makes me miss that feeling. Sometimes I should have celebrated more because I know how difficult it is to win and before it seems automatic. Every weekend you expected to fight to win. But I think it will be more during my retirement that I will realize I realize the impact I had in SBK during those years and now I’m more focused on going back to that point. I don’t look back too much and see what we’ve achieved.”
You, along with Razgatlioglu and Bautista, signed fun fights. Do you think it helped make the championship more interesting?
I like to think. WorldSBK has always been a popular championship, especially in the UK, Italy… in Spain maybe not so much. Ever since Carlos Checa won the championship in 2011, people started watching SBK with more television coverage and now with Bautista as an equal champion. This year at the moment we are still in Barcelona but last year we were in Jerez, there were not many people and there were never many in Motorland so it is difficult to calculate. I always felt it was very popular in some countries and not so much in others.”
What did Ducati and Bautista do so well to have such superiority?
“It’s pretty clear. In 2019, Ducati has already brought a very competitive bike. Let’s say it’s a new bike but Álvaro did the best but maybe he didn’t understand what to do to win the championship . It was. I think Bautista’s level is the best among the Ducati riders, but the performance of the bike is very high. This is demonstrated by the result of the others. They are all competitive, the customer bikes are too and and I think that “A lot of credit goes to the team. They have done a very good job in building the bike, at a high price but with a high quality and I think they played their cards very well.”
And where should Kawasaki focus more to improve? In what places?
The biggest area where we need to improve is the engine because we lose a lot on the long stretches where we go at 100% throttle and then we need to work on the chassis, especially the front end to make the bike more manageable in warmer conditions. . You give the engineers a lot of information over the weekend but like I said when you start production on a bike, you’re only as good as the bike you make on the production line. This must change and for that to happen is a big decision for the company. A large investment, internal decisions, etc. We’re on track and we can see it but ultimately it’s not my job.
What does Kawasaki represent to you? Your contract ends in 2024, what are your plans for the future?
I will always credit Kawasaki because they gave me the opportunity to win the championship in 2015. When I came here, I found an amazing group of people: engineers, a factory that really appreciates me and they mean a lot to me. Without them, I wouldn’t be as successful as I am.
As for the future, who knows? Right now I’m thinking race by race, enjoying myself with the goal of being competitive again. We will see how the future is, Kawasaki’s intentions and also after my contract, motivation must be considered. The motivation to keep running or take on another challenge. Now I think race by race but there will be a moment where I have to decide, even if it is far, this is not the moment.”
But can we say that if he feels competitive he will continue in Superbike for a bit?
Yes, clearly. I’m probably at this moment in my career where I feel most competitive but I want to win. I feel like a winning driver. I need a winning package so it depends. I don’t want to go on to Superbikes just for another list of names. I want to be here to fight for victories. For me, running constantly has to be motivating and exciting because ultimately it is very hard work both physically and mentally. If you don’t think you can compete for the important things, I’d better stay away. I’ve had a fantastic career so far and what I wanted when I was young was to be champion and I’ve done it six times with 118 wins I think. It’s crazy. So for me now I want to be competitive.
Toprak moved to BMW, what do you expect from this new union?
I think it’s very exciting for everyone, especially him. How can I tell you? at BMW they are the most ambitious in recent years. They bring out a new bike almost every season and I think with the combination of Toprak and ambition and work ethic it can work. It’s a bike that hasn’t won and for a rider it’s very satisfying to go to a factory and lead them to victory. I don’t know about Yamaha’s plans but if Torpak leaves, maybe they aren’t improving as much as they want.
To close, what are the strengths of Razgatlioglu and Bautista?
Álvaro’s strongest point is speed. Especially in acceleration and deceleration. Its weight helps put less wear and tear on your tires. In Toprak this is his talent. So far he is one of the best drivers I have ever been with. I have done two races in MotoGP, with great champions, but for me he is one of the best in that sense.
And how would you define yourself in one word?
I don’t know (laughs). How pilot? It’s interesting
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
