Jonathan Rea is confident the arrival of the latest generation Kawasaki ZX-10RR is a step forward enough for him to reel off another record-breaking seventh WorldSBK title in 2021.
The Ulsterman shrugged off the effects of a disrupted season to maintain a dominant run of consecutive championship wins in 2020 but will take on the challenge of having a new ZX-10RR beneath him in his quest for a seventh.
By his own words an ‘evolution’ of the existing model, which has seen off new attacks from Ducati, Honda, Yamaha and BMW thus far, the machine proved quick out of the box in Jerez by getting close to the lap record straight away.
2021 Kawasaki ZX-10RR - Everything you need to know
Indeed, Rea says the relatively safe approach means he is working on details, even if he says it does generate a different feeling.
“The good thing with Kawasaki is they don’t try and revolutionise something for the sake of it,” he said. “This model is based on a lot of experience, it is a winning package for the last six years and they have continued to refine it so it feels like it can only be better.
“We have more RPM to play with, the engine is a step forward and is a different character. From the outside everyone was saying the faring is quite different, so even the cockpit position is very different and more covered for my shoulders.
“Anyone can be fast but to extract that last percentage out of you and the bike you need to have that feeling and I had that in 2020. When the time comes at Round 1 we should have the package together.”
Reflecting on the year ahead, Rea believes he hasn’t reached his peak as yet and has ‘a lot to prove’ as he attempts to stretch his record breaking margin.
“The target is simple, to win the world title again. I feel I have the tools to do that and step-by-step we will build the package, then we will hit the track. I can’t wait for it, the racing competition is burning inside me and I have a lot left to prove…”
