WSBK 2024: Rea replaces Toprak?!

Former MotoGP racer, BSB racer, WSBK Champ, and has been Suzuki's MotoGP test rider for the past 5 years until they pulled the plug last year.

But even more remarkable is that he's got the best 60% French/40% British accent - unique to say the least.

 

Thanks for the scoop. Hopefully he's a big help to the BMW.

 

Never would have guessed Bassani to KRT

 

I'd been hearing the Bassani to KRT rumors for a while.

Is it too soon to start a 2025 silly season? GG31 to factory BMW anyone?

 

I can't see Bassani being the "solution" for KRT losing Rea. Maybe I am wrong and he will come alive on a factory team but man.... I'm not sure he is even the best option on a independant Ducati.

 

The sprint race at Aragon was the best I've ever seen Rea ride. To get out-motored like that is so demoralizing. There's no way Lowes or Bassani can pull off that kind of riding. The bike is basically an updated 2011. They need something different.

 

I think so but man, he's killing it lately on that Bonovo ride.

 

Not going to happen if Toprak quickly gels with the bike and starts winning and/or getting on the podium regularly

 

Plus, the way the announcers tell it, Toprak and Vandermark are pretty tight from their Yamaha days. I don't see them upsetting their A rider by shipping off his buddy and upsetting the good environment in both teams.

 

I just hope that if GG continues to outperform VDM, and the others, he gets a contract worthy of his performance.

What is Rea thinking? The Yamaha is likely a little better package than the Kawi, but Toprak has shown it’s not a weapon to fight Alvaro.

 

No, but the FIM is.

 

I think he believes they don't have it in them to win anymore. He's made complaints about the bike and Kawasaki unwilling to make changes to keep up. I am surprised he left them after all those years but maybe he saw the writing on the wall.

 

Marron is going with Toprak to BMW.

 

Don’t they have the ability to increase their max RPM’s as part of the balancing package and they haven’t done that?

 

Yes and they were given permission to increase the revs early this year but refused to take the concession which is when Rea started getting vocal about Kawi’s efforts.

https://us.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/rea-kawasaki-concessions-strange-rpm/10500290/

 

Earlier in the year, BMW said the best rider(s) would be on the factory squads and they wanted to promote interally. VDM is good but if he's consistently outperformed, another team will swoop on GG. Although now that I saw that out loud, I'd love to see GG on a Duc. Even a satellite one.

 

I have been thinking the same thing. There should be some serious dominoes falling when Bautista hangs it up because I dont think Bulega is a long-term answer...so two factory Duc seats open, and the ensuing carousel for the Duc independent seats too.

 

How many more years until Alvaro hangs it up though? He's basically untouchable. GG isn't getting any younger either...

 

There's been rumblings the last couple of years that he's been on the fence about coming back. And it seems to be within the next couple of years as a real possibility

 

GG just turned 28. Alvaro will be 40 next year.