Reigning World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea has quashed speculation of a potential 2018 MotoGP switch with Suzuki, admitting no contact has been made between himself and the Japanese marque.
Suzuki has endured a torrid third year back in MotoGP, with neither rider scoring higher than a ninth–place finish from the 13 races run so far.
Spanish rookie Alex Rins missed much of the first half of the year with injury, while Andrea Iannone’s struggles to adapt his riding style to suit the GSX–RR has seen tension form between himself and the team.
While contracted for 2018, speculation has been rife of the Italian’s potential dismissal from the squad, with Kawasaki WorldSBK rider Rea linked as a replacement.
However, Rea – who contested two MotoGP races as Casey Stoner’s replacement at Honda in 2012, in which he finished inside the top 10 on both occasions – says no discussions with Suzuki have taken place, and is happy with his current situation in WorldSBK.
“There has been no official communication between me and Suzuki and I am very happy here (in WorldSBK),” Rea confirmed to crash.net.
“I am very happy here and my heart is in Superbike.”
The Northern Irishman – who is contracted to KRT for 2018 – believes he could fight at the sharp–end in MotoGP, but would only make the switch if a competitive bike was on offer.
He also admits he would not regret never contesting a full season in the premier class if the right offer never materialises.
“The championship suits me very well, I’m on a winning package and to move to Grand Prix it would have to be on a winning package.
“It would need to be an exciting project to make it worth my while because I know that I could go there and be in the front group if I had the right package.
“If that opportunity doesn’t come I’ll have no regrets because I’m in a very good place here with Kawasaki.”
Rea heads into the next WorldSBK round in France 120 points clear in the standings after a dominant double victory in Portugal last weekend.
Should he outscore team–mate and second–place man Tom Sykes by just five points in the opening race at Magny–Cours, Rea will become the first ever rider to win three WorldSBK crowns back–to–back.
