Jonathan Rea has been ruled out of the WorldSBK season opener at Phillip Island after suffering a crash during testing on Monday.
The Pata Maxus Yamaha rider crashed at the Southern Loop (Turn 2) during the morning Free Practice session, issuing red flags.
The six-time WorldSBK champion sustained multiple fractures to his left foot following checkups from the circuit medical centre and a nearby hospital on the Island.
Yamaha released a statement stating: “Jonathan Rea will miss the opening round of the 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship after a crash on the first day of testing at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
“Rea fell on the exit of Turn 2 in the closing stages of Monday’s first two-hour test session. He was taken to the circuit medical centre, before being transferred to Cowes for further assessment where it was confirmed he had sustained multiple fractures to the left foot.
“He will take no further part in testing or the upcoming race weekend.”
Yamaha rues Rea’s day as ‘bitterly disappointing’
“It wasn’t an easy day on Jonathan’s side and a bitterly disappointing day for him and his crew and for everybody in the Yamaha WorldSBK project,” Pata Maxus Yamaha Team Principal Paul Denning stated.
“We’ve had such a step over the winter with Jonathan and his confidence and comfort on the R1, and his ability to be consistent and smooth and get the best out of the bike.
“Everything was looking normal today, but Phillip Island has a habit of biting you quite hard sometimes.
“It’s a fast and very high grip circuit, but such a high grip circuit means when the grid releases… we’ve seen today many quite violent accidents, and Jonathan got unlucky with his left foot getting caught up in the bike and he’s broken some bones in the left foot.
“The next steps aren’t exactly clear, but the basic plan is to get back to the UK as quickly as possible and to have some surgery and start the recovery process.”
It is unclear whether the Ulsterman will be fit to return for the second round in Portimao, but Denning discussed that he’d rather not comment on giving a timeline yet.
“At this stage, it’s difficult to say. I’d prefer not to say. He’s seeing a specialist here on Wednesday before he goes home to get, let’s say, a full initial report and understanding of the injury.
“After we have that and after surgery is planned, let’s see, but Portimao is not so far away so I think it’s going to be a big challenge.”
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