Yamaha Expects Jonathan Rea Back at Aragon WSBK

Jonathan Rea missed the inaugural Cremona World Superbike round last weekend after suffering a big crash in the opening race at Magny-Cours, two weeks prior.

Surgery took place on the same day as his fall after suffering a flesh wound to his thumb which required a skin graft. Yamaha had initially hoped for the six-time champion to return at Cremona, but that failed to materialise.

Rea has endured a tough first campaign with Yamaha and as a result has just one podium to show for, which came at his home round at Donington Park. Like Rea, another big name was missing from Cremona in series leader Toprak Razgatlioglu, who is also expected to return at Aragon.

Despite his struggles in 2024 with the R1, Yamaha needs Rea back as soon as possible as the rest of its riders have also been suffering in recent races. Team-mate Andrea Locatelli could manage no better than seventh at the Italian circuit, while Remy Gardner was tenth in race one before retiring from both Sunday’s races.

When asked if he expects his rider back at Aragon this weekend, Pata Yamaha Team Principal, Paul Denning told Eurosport: “The simple answer is yes. If everything goes well over the next couple of days he absolutely will be [back at Aragon]. He’s extremely frustrated not to be here in Cremona, a track which he felt his riding style could have suited well.

“It was just a little bit too much for the skin graft to be safe for this weekend. He’ll be back in Aragon, and I’ve been so impressed by his motivation to be back as soon as he possibly can.”

Rea is currently 12th in the championship standings with fellow Yamaha riders Locatelli and Gardner both inside the top ten.

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