Rea on Suzuki MotoGP rumours: My heart is in WorldSBK

Jonathan Rea has poured cold water on rumours linking him to a potential MotoGP switch with Suzuki, saying he’s happy and settled in the World Superbike championship.

Kawasaki's reigning champion moved to the cusp of an historic third consecutive title with a double victory at Portimao and a win in race one next time out at Magny-Cours would be enough to take the 2017 crown with five races to spare.

Having dominated the World Superbike championship, Rea has frequently been linked with a potential switch to MotoGP, including recent rumours about a move to the factory Suzuki squad if they were to replace Andrea Iannone.

Although not against the idea of going to MotoGP in the near future, Rea feels it would need to be with a competitive package that is ‘worth my while’ and played down the Suzuki speculation.

“There has been no official communication between me and Suzuki and I am very happy here,” Rea said. “I have a contract for 2018 and so does Andrea Iannone. I presume the speculation is coming from Iannone underachieving but honestly I don’t have anything to say on this.

“I am very happy here and my heart is in Superbike.

“The championship suits me very well, I'm on a winning package and to move to Grand Prix it would have to be on a winning package. It would need to be an exciting project to make it worth my while because I know that I could go there and be in the front group if I had the right package.

“If that opportunity doesn't come I'll have no regrets because I'm in a very good place here with Kawasaki.”

Rea’s only previous entry into MotoGP came in 2012 as replacement rider for the injured Casey Stoner at Repsol Honda when he finished eighth in Misano and seventh in Aragon.