WSBK 2024: Rea replaces Toprak?!

Did I miss the thread?

https://www.autosport.com/wsbk/news/rea-set-for-shock-yamaha-wsbk-switch-in-2024/10515004/

 

I've seen it mentioned a lot on Twitter it seems like either a very valid threat to Kawasaki or a really badly kept secret that's already finalized.

 

Didn’t see that one coming, but can hardly blame him.

 

Wow. Surprised that Kawi would let him out of his contract.

 

it was mentioned, but maybe we all thought it was a crazy rumor?
https://forums.13x.com/index.php?th...an-round-14-16-jul.383156/page-3#post-6108889

 

They suggest this is a chance for a more competitive bike. Is that really true? I see it more as a lateral move.

 

World sbk barely gets a weekend thread much less a silly season one

 

Nah, with how Toprack has out performed Rea the last 2.5 years if Rea doesn’t believe the Yamaha is better then that means he thinks Toprack is better. If that’s the case he might as well give up.

 

Riders' careers are always rising and falling. If you're at the top, there's only one way to go. If you're chasing the top, there's only one place to be. I love this shit!

 

I figured something like this was in the works when Toprak announced he was leaving the team. The only way Yamaha would allow him to leave was if another superstar was filling his shoes, I figured someone from GP would drop down but I never imagined it would be Rea. He’s gonna remain a serious contender aboard the Yamaha. I don’t see Toprak being strong at all on the BMW.

 

I don’t see it as a great move for Rea unless he knows something about the future of the Kawasaki liter bike.

He’s chucking away a future as the face of Kawasaki long after he retires for a few seasons on the second or third best bike.

 

IMO the Yamaha is the best bike, Alvaro is just pushing the Ducati to the absolute limits, but the rest of the Duc’s (and Kawi’s) are regularly behind Toprak

 

Now that is some funny stuff right there...

 

No!

 

Officially leaving krt

 

Officially joined Yamaha too

 

"Allow?" Did they have a choice?

 

I will say SBK has gotten better the last few years as I didnt want to watch anymore when Rea was just winning everything. You need parity. Bautista and Ducati are clearly a great package but with rumors of a seamless gearbox from Yamaha on R1 will be interesting. I guess Rea has seen Yamaha plans for progress and thinks they will have a competitive bike in the next 2 years. IDK, I was mad they let Toprak leave, but this makes more sense now.

 

We went from Rea winning everything to Bautista winning everything.

Not sure if I would call that an improvment.

The only thing I can see is Bautista is a little more mentally fragilie so there is a chance.

The only way Rea is gonna beat Bautista is on a Ducati.

 

I mean, we had a Yamaha championship 2 years ago. Yes Bautista is strong right now, but I think manufacture progress is quicker here then it is with MotoGP. Yamaha and Honda are F0cked right now with no change in sight. Ducati is putting alot of effort into winning on two wheels and it shows.

Still better then Rea winning his 15th championship in a row...