Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) attended the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve on Sunday, joining his team for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship action as he continues to recover from the injuries that he sustained in testing at Phillip Island. The #65 was on hand to see teammate Andrea Locatelli finish P5 in the Tissot Superpole Race and P4 in Race 2, after he finished third in Race 1. Speaking on Sunday, Rea provided an update on his recovery, Yamaha seemingly making a step and Locatelli’s performance.

ROAD TO RECOVERY: “Last week, I made a good step with my physical condition and also mentally”

Rea was injured in the Official Test at Phillip Island when he had a highside at Turn 2, the Southern Loop, and suffered multiple fractures to his left foot. He underwent surgery after returning home and has since been focusing on his recovery. Previously, Rea stated he’d be back on the back when he can give 100%, and he didn’t give an exact timeframe of when he’d be back in action when speaking at Portimao, but was able to provide a positive recovery update.

Discussing his injury recovery, the Ulsterman said: “My recovery’s going very well. Last week, I made a good step with my physical condition and also mentally. I’m in a good place now. I would say, for the injury I had which was a lot more severe than we first expected, I’m ahead of schedule. I’m working in a good way at home. Everything we’re doing is working well and next week we’ll speak with the consultant and the medical team back home to understand the next steps and see when I can return to racing.”

Expanding on the next steps, and whether he’d be back at Assen, Rea added: “I haven’t completely ruled it out but it’s probably against a lot of medical advice. It’s quite a severe injury and it takes time to recover. Assen’s just early. We’ll have that conversation this week. Thinking ahead, it’s just week by week. I’m not allowed to put weight through my foot right now, I can only mark it on my crutches. That means I need to be walking and functional, not put myself at risk when I return to racing. That’s at the forefront of our mind but I’m working like an animal at home to be in the best shape I can be, to get back to my bike, because I really miss it. I’ve been at home and thinking about not riding was tough. I’m treating every day like a work day and hopefully I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

YAMAHA’S DEVELOPMENT: “I haven’t tried this configuration, but it sure looks good from trackside”

Yamaha had a tricky 2024 campaign with no wins – their first winless campaign since 2017 – and only six podiums; down from 43 in 2023. Although they ended the season strong with Locatelli on the rostrum at Jerez, Phillip Island was tricky for the Japanese manufacturer with just four top-ten results; three from Locatelli and one from Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team). At Portimao, Pata Maxus Yamaha Team Principal, Paul Denning, confirmed Yamaha’s superconcessions would be related to the frame as Yamaha look to return to the podium, and take wins, more frequently.

Talking about Yamaha’s behind the scenes work and development, Rea said: “The frame was one area we could improve on when I first rode the bike and now, I’m super proud and happy to see that they’re working hard to arrive with concession parts. They’re working all over the bike. I haven’t tried this configuration just now, but it sure looks good from trackside and the feedback from the other riders seems good. I don’t really know too many details about it but looking forward to trying it when I get back.”

He also spoke about Locatelli’s Race 1 third place and whether that was a reason for optimism, saying: “Not just that but I felt there was reason to be optimistic even at Phillip Island. All winter, I feel like I’ve been right at the front with race pace and feeling good with the bike. We hadn’t used the Superpole tyres. I think there’s some reason for optimism but still a lot of work to do. We need to be fighting right at the front; right now, Toprak and Nicolo seem to have that little bit of advantage over everybody. Step by step, we’re getting there, and the work ethic looks really good from the outside.”

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