Jonathan Rea Begins Recovery but Yamaha Unsure When He’ll Return

Jonathan Rea’s attempts to return for round nine of the 2024 World Superbike championship are underway, after posting an update on his social media channels.

However, Yamaha is not entirely convinced he will be fit enough to compete at Cremona Circuit, Italy, which is making its debut in the Superbike championship this season. Speaking about Rea’s chances of appearing at Cremona, Pata Prometeon Yamaha team principal, Paul Denning said: “We obviously hope that Jonathan is going to be able to ride in Cremona – it could be a really tough challenge, but whatever the case we are focused on regrouping and doing our best to perform a lot better at Yamaha’s Italian home race.”

“Magny-Cours has been the toughest of tough weekends. Race 1, with the changeable track conditions, offered a clear opportunity for both JR and Loka [Andrea Locatelli] to fight for the podium – but JR’s Lap 1 crash and resulting injury put him out for this weekend, meaning that all opportunities were gone.”

Rea’s has endured a nightmare first season with Yamaha, following his switch from Kawasaki where he won all six of his World Superbike championships. Rea has scored just one podium from 22 races, his worst return at this stage in a season ever in World Superbike.

Yamaha has generally struggled in 2024, but not all of that is down to the Japanese company as Rea has struggled to find a set-up that allows him to be competitive, as was the case aboard the ZX-10RR.

Rea was part of an injury-riddled Magny-Cours round as his title rivals since 2019 - Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu also missed races due to suffering injuries. Rea crashed out of Race One at the final corner on the opening lap and suffered a fractured right thumb in the process. Rea has since undergone surgery to repair a deep abrasion and tendon damage to his thumb.

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