Will Yamaha be able to replace Jonathan Rea in Australia?
02/19/2025 03:28 AM
Pata Maxus Yamaha will be without Jonathan Rea for the World Superbike season opener.
Paul Denning, the Pata Maxus Yamaha team boss, has been asked about a potential replacement for Jonathan Rea at Phillip Island.
The 2025 World Superbike Championship kicks off this weekend at Phillip Island, but Rea will miss the season opener due to injuries.
However, the Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Team will most likely be unable to replace him.
"I think this weekend, no," Paul Denning said.
"We are still considering.
"If we were in Europe then, yes, absolutely. But to bring a rider from Europe to Australia – even if they fly first thing [Wednesday] morning they're not here until Thursday night with the time difference and the flight.
"And, with no testing and no experience of the package, it's a big ask and could potentially cause more negatives than positives.
"So, of course we want to support the championship always to the best possible level and to deliver as much value for our sponsors and partners; but at this stage, unfortunately being here in Australia, it's not an easy step to replace the rider."
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