You are here

SBK, Guim Roda: Dorna should pay teams like in MotoGP

The Spanish manager of the Provec Ninjas is convinced: "it's necessary in order to build the championship. If Kawasaki were to want it, we'd be ready with Rea in MotoGP"

SBK: Guim Roda: Dorna should pay teams like in MotoGP

Share


Sykes' terrible crash on Saturday forced the KRT Provec team to line up with just one factory ZX10RR at Portimao, ridden by the (almost) three-time world champion Jonathan Rea, the undisputed winner of both of the Algarve races.

Team manager Guim Roda, in the meantime, has reassured everyone as to #66's condition, after the latter was forced to sit out the races: “Tom had surgery yesterday morning at 8, at a private clinic in Barcelona - he explains- it all went well, the doctors are optimistic though we don't yet know the recovery time; our goal is to have Sykes back and in shape for the French round”.

Sykes never holds back. Was hit sitting out the races a decision you made together?

“The final decision was taken by the doctors at the medical centre. If if had been up to Tom, he'd have definitely tried, also because he was still in line for an important placing in the championship. We were really disappointed, but it was impossible for him to race. He would have risked doing himself further injury, and for how many points?! He did the right thing to get surgery right away, to be 100% for France”.

And if he isn't?

We won't have a replacement rider. It doesn't make sense to bring a rider who doesn't know the bike or our work method for just one round; also, where would we find a racer of Sykes' caliber? There are no free riders like him. But I'm sure that Tom will try to race at Magny-Cours, he's the typical British Superbike rider and we'll do all we can to be there in France, because we want to win the rider's title but also the manufacturer's title”.

Speaking of riders and manufacturers, Rea has wiped the floor with them all, diminishing the show …

Sykes' absence had a bearing, and I also think that without the crashes and a technical problem, Davies would have been closer to Rea in the championship, making for a more interesting competition. Dorna definitely needs to intervene to increase the spectacle and promote the championship, bringing more people to the track and doing more in terms of the TV coverage”.

What do you suggest?

Dorna should give money to all of the registered teams, as it does in MotoGP. The teams are supported and in this way the championship grows. If we were asked to offer our technology, on sale to private teams, I would be in favour: Kawasaki, Honda, Ducati, Yamaha, MV and Aprilia could make their bikes and parts available so as to have more competitive riders on the grid. This would raise the level of the championship and give value to those who win... like us”.

Is splitting the two races a valid solution?

It works - it's more interesting for the sponsors because they can be in the hospitality units without any problems. With one race on Saturday and one on Sunday, the teams work better and under less pressure, in terms of TV it's more interesting to have two main events over a weekend”.

There is talk that Rea and team Suzuki Ecstar have been in touch with regard to racing together…

It's normal for a rider and his manager to make contact and discuss things with other teams and other championship - that's their job. A contract, when necessary, can always be torn up, and we have many examples of that. Honestly, I don't know whether Rea and Suzuki have been in contact”.

What if Rea were to say he wants a change of air?

Anything's possible but he remains our priority. Rea is a winner, we like him as a person and he is strong as a rider. We're already worked in preparation for 2018 and I know that Kawasaki's strategy is to keep him with us in 2019 and 2020 too. Then, as you know, when there are enormous financial offers on the table, anything can happen, but I don't think it will happen”.

And if you were to receive a call from Akashi asking your team to move to MotoGP?

Moving to MotoGP would be a very different project to that which Kawasaki has developed here. In Superbike the manufacturer offers its road-going technology, linked to the production series, with details born and conceived for street use. MotoGP is a totally different thing... but... if Kawasaki told me to go to MotoGP, I would do as Kawasaki says. The Japanese have their strategies, for now we know that we will be working in SBK also in 2019 and 2020”.

 

Translated by Heather Watson

Related articles