Jonathan Rea: “It would be nice to imitate Valentino Rossi”

Jonathan Rea: "I would like to imitate Valentino Rossi"

New Yamaha centaur Jonathan Rea in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport talked about his new adventure after nine years with Kawasaki. The six-time world champion is looking forward to making up for the past few disappointing seasons.

"Honestly, I am really excited to be in Yamaha. I wanted to take this opportunity because, after nine years in the same team, I needed a change. I feel I still want to be competitive and Yamaha has given me a’really beneficial opportunity. I did not know what kind of team or what kind of bike I would find, I could only see them from the’outside, but until the first meeting I could only imagine what they were really like".

"I felt immediately welcomed: from the team manager to the hospitality staff. Everyone was supportive and warm. We can’t wait to start this partnership together. The bike? After a few laps I thought ‘Wow, I have a great feeling'. I am happy with my decision. Clearly this is only the first step. Then will come the work of customizing the bike. But, for being the first contact, it seems to be going well".

Rea è a big fan of Valentino Rossi, who wrote the most glorious part of his career precisely on the Yamaha: "Immediately winning the first race in Yamaha as Valentino? I would say that would go far beyond my boldest expectations. Of course, we have to be competitive if we want to fight for the title, which è is our goal. Toè be already strong in the first races would be a dream. I really like Phillip Island, usually the R1 è strong at that circuit. It would be a good story".

Rea also models himself after Lionel Messi: "A few weeks ago he won the Ballon d’oro, the most prestigious award in soccer. I don’t remember his age; I think similar to me. Leo è a perfectionist. He never stops working on himself and the team. He doesn’t care about anything but playing soccer. He always wants to win, and in that he resembles me. I also want the same thing and I always try to keep improving. Messi è the best of all time in soccer, in my opinion, and è also a very good guy".