Rea commits future to World Superbikes

28 October 2008 Source: News Letter

JONATHAN Rea will make his World Superbike debut at Portimao in Portugal this weekend.

The 21-year-old, who was voted the NGK Enkalon Irish Motorcyclist of the Year for the second year in succession on Saturday night, will ride the Ten Kate Honda Fireblade in the final round of the World Superbike series on Sunday.

Rea revealed his decision to relinquish his grasp on the runner-up position in the World Supersport Championship at the Enkalon awards bash in Antrim as he attempts to gain valuable experience in the class ahead of his move to World Superbikes in 2009.

He had been in the frame to sensationally clinch the Supersport title at his first attempt this season, but the opportunity was snatched from his grasp through no fault of his own in the penultimate round at Magny-Cours in France, when he was ruled out of contention after his progress was hampered by the wayward machine of Robin Harms.

The title went to his team-mate, Aussie Andrew Pitt, and with the outcome decided Rea has opted to take advantage of an offer by the Dutch-based Ten Kate team to compete in the Superbike races this weekend.

Rea is no stranger to the Superbike class and secured his passage into World Supersport racing last year, when he finished as runner-up to his HM Plant Honda team-mate, Ryuichi Kiyonari, in the British Superbike Championship.

"It was a hard decision by me to lose the chance of finishing second at the final race of the season," said the Ulsterman, "but it's a psychological decision by me to get up and running in World Superbikes so I can hit the ground running next year."

Although World Superbikes is regarded as a stepping stone into the sport's premier division of MotoGP, Rea refuses to ponder thoughts of competing against the likes of Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner in the world championship just yet.

"MotoGP is not a goal for me right now because it's in a bit of a mess at the moment," he said.

"I have a big commitment now with Ten Kate Honda in World Superbikes and I want to do a good job for them.

"They have given me the chance to move onto the world stage so I can only thank them for what they have done for me.

"To have Carlos Checa as a team-mate, someone who has done MotoGP, is great for me and I'm really honoured to be involved with a rider like him."

The Portimao circuit is new to the World Superbike calendar in 2008 and Rea will be aiming to securing a solid grid position during the Superpole qualifier on Saturday before preparing for his maiden WSBK races on Sunday.

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Come on JR!!
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