The annual motorcycle show, held from November 7 to 10, featured more than just new models. Six-time World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea wasn't there just to make up the numbers, taking part, along with other big names, in the Champions Charity Race, a flat-track competition organized for charitable purposes.
Rea's first win for Yamaha... in the Champions Charity Race!
Not expected this year, Jonathan Rea scored his first victory for Yamaha in a charity race. Rea, who joined Yamaha after several seasons with Kawasaki, dominated the event held at EICMA, bringing together renowned riders such as former MotoGP champion Casey Stoner, Carlos Checa, and WorldSBK talents like Andrea Locatelli and Xavi Vierge. At the controls of a Yamaha YZ450F modified with Yamaha Motor Italia's GYTR kit, Rea made a name for himself right from the start of testing. Although flat-track was new territory for him, he quickly adapted to it, racking up wins in successive rounds.
Yet Rea's journey was not without its challenges. In the elimination heats, he faced Locatelli in a tight duel to qualify for the semi-finals, before beating Ryan Vickers, a young rider who will make his WorldSBK debut in 2025. The final pitted him against Supermoto specialist Elia Sammartin, who dominated the opening laps. However, thanks to his determination and growing mastery of the flat-track, the 37-year-old Brit took the lead in the final laps, securing a landmark victory for Yamaha.
A heartening victory
Pata Prometeon Yamaha's Jonathan Rea expressed his satisfaction:
I didn't really know what to expect before the races, having little flat-track experience, but I knew I was going to give it my all. I felt at ease right from the start. Yamaha Motor Italia had prepared a YZ450F equipped with an absolutely brilliant GYTR kit, and the circuit was relatively easy to memorize, although it did require a bit of trial and error! My first race against Vierge went well; from the very first laps, I felt a strong pain in my arms, a sensation I hadn't experienced in years, and I knew it was going to be a real challenge. I was quite nervous about riding here, because in this kind of end-of-season race, anything can happen. But my competitive spirit got the better of me, and with each race I was a little faster! The final was extremely close. Sammartin drove perfectly and made no mistakes, so to cross the finish line first and stand on the top step of the podium was a real pleasure!
Plunged into the unknown, it didn't take long for Rea to adapt to the intense rhythm of this unprecedented competition. With nothing particularly at stake, his competitive spirit took over after a difficult season with the YZF-R1. More than just a symbolic triumph, this victory has put a smile back on the face of the rider who finished 13th in the last World Superbike championship, but not only... Above all, the event raised €5,000 for the Riders4Riders charity, which supports injured motorcyclists and spinal cord injury research, reinforcing the spirit of solidarity within the motorcycling community.
By bringing together legends and young talent, EICMA organizers offered fans a unique show and allowed Rea to return to success, auguring a promising 2025 season for Yamaha in World Superbike.
Photo credits: Yamaha Racing / EICMA
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