Spotlight: Jonathan Rea, WorldSBK's Fighting Irishman

Two hours removed from winning his ninth race of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship, two-time and defending Champion Jonathan Rea was not only in good spirits, but in something of a reflective frame of mind.

"World Superbike is still close to the heart of the American people," offered the 30 year-old Irishman. "I mean, look at all the people still hanging around in the paddock right now."

It was a good weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R pilot. A second to Chaz Davies on Saturday was followed up with a win for the runaway leader in the '17 WorldSBK Championship, and now with a five week break before the production-based world tour reconvenes in late August, all was well with the Jonathan Rea's world.

Q: I don't want to curse you, but you have two World Championships and a third one is looking realistic this year.

JONATHAN REA: Yeah, we're on track. Last year I lost quite a lot of points in a short bit of time from some technical issues, so you can never be too far in front. We're in a good position. I'd rather have the points' gap than have to chase it down. We'll just keep focused with my team and try and do the best job that I can.

Q: Tom Sykes, a great rider and also a former WorldSBK Champion, has won two races to your nine, and is quite a way behind you in the points. Can this cause friction within the Kawasaki Racing Team?

JR: We have to be professional. He's the first guy I have to beat. We have the same material. I have my target to win the World Championship and he has the same, so it's impossible to be close friends because you put so much sacrifice into winning. We've got to be respectful because we work for Kawasaki and we try to do the best job for them as well, but we both have our own personal goals. It conflicts, of course. It's impossible to be happy for a guy if he is beating me every weekend, but we try and keep it professional and give each other the space we need.

Q: I know you have another championship to try and win, but what's in your future beyond that?

JR: Right now I have another year left on the contract with Kawasaki with some options. I'm just taking things race by race. I'm trying not to think too far into the future and just concentrating on trying to win this year. We'll worry about the future at the end of the season.

Q: Would you ever want to give MotoGP another shot?

JR: The problem with MotoGP is that I felt like I deserved a really good bike for many years and I never had that chance. I'm with an incredible manufacturer here in Superbike and I'm really enjoying winning and enjoying working with all the staff. Going to the racetrack with the guys is really fun. I probably missed my shot at a really competitive bike, but never say never. I know I could go into the paddock with a good bike and do a really good job, but right now my heart is in Superbike and trying to win as many races and championships that I can here.

Q: In the weeks leading up to the Laguna Seca round, there were suggestions that DORNA could make the WorldSBK Championship more of a strictly-stock racing classification and series. What do you make of it all?

JR: If they made us rider scooters, I would ride and do my best. Regulations are going to be what they're going to be. The factories can adapt quickly. If I look at Superstock in the European Championship right now, Kawasaki has done a really good job. We'll see. I don't think too many things need changing, to be honest. That's my personal opinion. What's going to be is going to be.