Jonathan Rea has been declared unfit to race following Race 1 crash at the 2024 French WorldSBK.
The six-time champion crashed on the very first lap, resulting in a fractured thumb that has since ruled him out for the remainder of the weekend. The crash unfolded under rainy conditions which resulted to a slippery track that posed challenges for many riders.
Jonathan Rea who started the Magny-Cours opening race in eighth position fell victim to the tricky conditions just after Nicolo Bulega had his own crash in front of him and while there was no contact between the two riders, the Irishman’s fall was severe enough to warrant immediate medical attention.
After the crash, the 37-year old was seen walking away while holding his wrist, but it quickly became clear that the injury was serious. Upon arriving at the medical center, he was diagnosed with a fractured thumb and a deep abrasion and was subsequently transported to Moulins Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
On Saturday evening, Rea underwent surgery in Clermont-Ferrand to repair the damage to his thumb. The operation was deemed necessary due to the extent of the injury, and the rider expressed his gratitude to the medical team for their swift action in addressing his condition.
Returning to the circuit on Sunday morning, Rea was officially declared unfit to compete in the remaining races of the French WorldSBK weekend as he acknowledged the severity of his injury and the need for specialist intervention.
“Unfortunately, my injury needed specialist attention, and I had to have an emergency surgery to repair some damage in my right thumb,” he said. “I will understand my recovery day by day, but I would just like to thank the track medics and especially Dr Antoine Martins for fixing me up.
“Thank you to all my team, my fans and all my sponsors that continue to support me in this tough period.”
The incident marks a particularly difficult moment for Rea, who is navigating his first season with Yamaha after a long and successful tenure with Kawasaki. The 2024 season has been fraught with challenges for the Northern Irishman, who currently sits in 10th place in the championship standings with only 86 points.
This is a stark contrast to his previous seasons, where he consistently contended for the title. With only one podium finish to his name this year—achieved during the Superpole race in Donington in July—the pressure is mounting as the season progresses.
Rea’s absence from the grid will undoubtedly have implications for his team’s performance and the championship race as a whole.
The next round of the WorldSBK will take place in Cremona from September 20-22, giving Rea a two-week window to recover before the competition resumes.
