NORTHERN Ireland’s Jonathan Rea has hinted that some big news regarding his future could be confirmed over the coming weeks.
Speculation suggests Rea may be in line for a coveted MotoGP ride in 2013, with his superb victory at the prestigious Suzuka 8-Hours race last Sunday seemingly boosting his chances of gaining a significant reward from Honda.
The legendary Suzuka race is immensely popular to the mighty Japanese manufacturer and Rea will have done his chances of earning a MotoGP ride no harm at all after he became the first British rider ever to reach the top step in the influential endurance event.
Rea previously tested a factory specification Honda MotoGP machine at Sepang in December 2010.
The Ulsterman, who was 18th fastest in the first qualifying session at Silverstone yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s World Superbike round at the British venue, said his immediate future will ‘become clear’ within the next month.
“Winning Suzuka was unbelievable, the passion, the excitement of the event,” he said.
“Winning that race is a big deal for the Japanese.
“What will it do for me? I’m not saying anything but there is a lot going on and in three or four weeks it will become clear.
“My main focus is on here at Silverstone - I did okay in 2010 with a double podium and I hope to repeat that,” added Rea, speaking to bikesportnews.com.
Rea has followed a similar career path to current MotoGP star Cal Crutchlow, who progressed from the British Superbike series to World Supersport and World Superbikes before earning a ride with Yamaha in the blue riband championship.
After a difficult first season, Crutchlow has shone this year following MotoGP’s switch to 1000cc machines on the Tech 3 YZR-M1, finishing regularly inside the top six.
Rea struggled in the changeable conditions at Silverstone yesterday, where Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes set the fastest time in front of his home fans, just three hundredths of a second faster than last year’s double winner Carlos Checa on the Althea Ducati.
Sylvain Guintoli was third quickest ahead of Leon Camier and Chaz Davies, with Jakub Smrz rounding out the top six ahead of Eugene Laverty on the works Aprilia RSV4.
Final qualifying and Superpole takes place today.
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