Yamaha 'expected more' from Jonathan Rea in 2024

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Yamaha's new Sporting Director has had his say on Jonathan Rea's debut year with the manufacturer.

After a year with the Japanese manufacturer, Yamaha has admitted they 'expected more' from Jonathan Rea in his debut year.

After nine years with Kawasaki Rea ended his historic run with the Japanese manufacturer to join their rivals. However, unlike his move to Kawasaki which resulted in six world titles in six years, Rea did not win a race in 2024.

In the end the Northern Irishman ended the year 13th in the 2024 World Superbike standings.

"It was certainly a season below expectations," Yamaha's new WorldSBK Sporting Director, Niccolo Canepa told Motosprint.

"We expected more from Jonathan and many results were not in line with our hopes.

"We are working hard, and well, to get back to the positions that matter and to be consistently on the podium, as we had done in previous years, and to help Rea regain the confidence he has lost a bit.

"Already at the end of the season we saw important steps forward: there will be changes, we are working hard to try to get back up".

Despite his lacklustre results in 2024, Rea will compete in the 2025 World Superbike Championship. The six-time Champion will turn 38 next month and has admitted that retirement has crossed his mind.

Rea's contract with Yamaha will end at the conclusion of the 2025 World Superbike season. If he wants to continue with Yamaha or in World Superbike's next year Rea will need to produce better results in 2025.

The post Yamaha 'expected more' from Jonathan Rea in 2024 appeared first on BikeSport News.

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