Not all donuts come with a hole in them, and the same goes for marriages. This was recently realized by Jorge Martin, who is determined to leave Aprilia after one race and a long list of broken bones. And Jonathan Rea, struggling with the most disastrous two-year period of his career, could not help but realize it as well.
Indeed, the idyllic premises with which the partnership between World Superbike's most successful rider and Yamaha came about soon clashed with a reality far removed from the expectations of both parties. The efforts of the Japanese manufacturer, the commitment of the 38-year-old, and the replacement of Andrew Pitt with Uri Pallares in the role of crew chief were to no avail: Johnny and the R1 have not yet found the understanding with which to achieve the hoped-for performance and results, and the Most weekend was yet another confirmation.
A tough blow to take for Yamaha and even more so for the six-time world champion. Especially in light of the injury suffered at Phillip Island, which marked his 2025 before it even began, preventing him from taking part in the first three rounds of the year. It would be easy at this point to throw in the towel and meditate on retirement at the end of the season, but Rea is not going for it and has no intention of ending his career fighting for placings far below his ambitions.
AAA Ducati wanted for a restart
Hungry for revenge and results, and certain that he still holds all the cards to fight for the top positions, the Northern Irishman is sounding out the terrain in a desperate search for an alternative solution with which to try to return to the top of the World Championship in 2026: a Ducati Panigale V4 R. The best performing and most versatile bike in the lineup.
A move not even that different from the one attempted this year by Scott Redding, who gambled everything on the MGM Bonovo Racing team's blue-coloured Rossa to try to give himself one last chance in the championship. Having outlined the idea, however, finding the team with which to bring his project to life is the big problem that remains to be solved for Rea.
Certainly the paddock is looking with curiosity at the Northern Irishman, despite the fact that the last two seasons have been affected by problems and injuries. Johnny is looking around and at the same time so are the teams including Go Eleven, called to rediscuss the contract renewal with Andrea Iannone. A possibility not to be ruled out and which could take off should Andrea Iannone and Gianni Ramello's team decide to terminate their collaboration at the end of the year.
Rea's future hinges on Go Eleven and Iannone's choices.
It is undeniable that the Abruzzo rider's season is not going as he in the first place would have expected. The second year with the Piedmont-based team should have been one in which to fight consistently for the top positions. Instead, between bad luck, mistakes, and an understanding between bike, team, and rider, which still seems to be lacking, The Maniac finds himself after the first five rounds of the season with a double fracture in his foot and 78 points behind the top of the Independent standings occupied by Danilo Petrucci. The minimum goal to aspire to in this 2025.
Not the best assumptions on which to think about going for a renewal. The Go Eleven team also knows this well, and while waiting to try to straighten out the season with its rider, it is beginning to evaluate some alternatives for the future. Above all, the rapid Stefano Manzi, whom sponsor Pata likes so much and who is unlikely to find space in the Yamaha Factory team alongside Andrea Locatelli.
That's why the Supersport rider from Romagna is among the main suspects, besides Johnny, to get on the Panigale V4 in 2026. A young guy, whom people like, with whom they can build a future. Everything, however, will come down to what Iannone's choice of team will be.