Jonathan Rea unsure of MotoGP future

Jonathan Rea says he has no idea whether he will be lining up with Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith in MotoGP next year.

The British rider has been strongly linked with a full-time switch to MotoGP in 2013, with the Gresini Honda squad rumoured to be closely monitoring Rea’s performance in Misano and Motorland Aragon this month.

Rea will replace injured reigning world champion Casey Stoner in both races while the Aussie recovers from surgery to the right ankle he badly damaged in a qualifying crash at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway last month.

But the Ten Kate Honda rider says he is unclear on whether he will be leaving World Superbikes at the end of 2012.

The 25-year-old said: “I want the possibility to come and race in MotoGP. I think it is every young guys dream to be in this championship. My hero was Kevin Schwantz, so to race in MotoGP would be an honour.

“My future is not in my hands right now, so I have to wait and see. I take things race by race and hopefully I can do a good job and we will see what happens.”

Rea is poised to make his premier class debut in Misano this weekend having taken part in two test sessions on Stoner’s factory RC213V in Brno and Motorland Aragon recently.

He admitted Stoner’s cruel luck with injury has presented him with a golden opportunity to show his potential in front of the MotoGP paddock and he added: “It is a great opportunity for me to come into this paddock and to race with some of the best riders in the world.

“Brno wasn’t really a test and I was like a zombie. I had one-and-a-half hours sleep and there was so much to learn in a day and I got more comfortable with the bike in Aragon.

“I was closer to the riders on track there and I could see what they were able to do for more than two corners. I picked up a lot there and really enjoyed starting to feel the GP machine.

“It is a completely different bike and it takes time but I am really enjoying this learning experience. The gap between the bike and me is quite a lot but it is very motivating to get closer and closer.

“It is a test but I have been given the best opportunity to come with Honda on a competitive bike and it is not always like that. It is easier to go the other way and land on your feet with a great package in World Superbikes.

“The successful guys like Cal and Ben (Spies) have made their mistakes in year one but now they are two of the best riders here right now and doing a great job. I’ve no expectation to compare myself against them guys right now.

“I’m just enjoying this opportunity and I am going to lap it up in front of the Italian fans and hopefully do myself proud at the end.”

For nine pages of coverage from the Misano race, see the September 19 issue of MCN.