Ex-MotoGP rider and Moto2 Champ will attempt to reinvigorate Yamaha’s WorldSBK campaign in Portimão
Yamaha Motor Europe has confirmed that Augusto Fernández will step in for the injured Jonathan Rea in the second round of the 2025 FIM Superbike World Championship at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.
Rea was ruled unfit for the opening round of the championship in Australia after a crash during the traditional pre-season test at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit left him with multiple fractures to his left foot. The Northern Irishman returned home to Belfast in the days following the crash and successfully underwent surgery on Friday, 21 February. The exact timeline for his recovery is yet to be determined, but Rea will miss both the upcoming Portimão test (14-15 March) and Round 2 from 28-30 March.
Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP test rider Augusto Fernández will fill in for the six-time world champion, joining the Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team for both the test and the race in Portimão.
The 27-year-old, 2022 Moto2 World Champion joined Yamaha as a MotoGP test rider after two years competing in the premier class and has extensive race experience at the Portimão circuit. Although he is less familiar with the R1 WorldSBK and Pirelli tyres, the two-day test before the second round will give the Spaniard the chance to adapt to the bike.
Augusto Fernández, Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Rider – “First of all I would like to send my best wishes for a speedy recovery to Jonathan Rea and to thank Yamaha for this opportunity. This will be my first experience of racing with the R1 but also of racing in WorldSBK. I can’t wait to get to the Portimão test to spend some time on the bike and to see how it feels.”
Jonathan Rea – Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team – “I would like to thank Dr Michael McMullan and his team at the Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Belfast for the urgency and care to deal with my foot injury. After reviewing the scans from my crash in Australia we made the decision to fly home directly and perform surgery to stabilise and fix the injuries in my foot. The surgery was successful and I will continue my recovery at home with my medical team. I want to thank my team, my family and of course all my fans who have been sending me positive messages during these difficult days.”
Niccolò Canepa, Road Racing Sporting Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe – “Jonathan has been sorely missed here in Phillip Island, but we are happy that the surgery on his injuries was successful and that he has now started the recovery process. We hope to see him fully fit and back on the bike as soon as possible. In the meantime, we spoke with Augusto and Yamaha Motor Racing about the possibility he could stand in for Jonathan in Portimão and he was keen to do so. He is familiar with the circuit, and with the test scheduled ahead of the race we can give him track time with the R1 WorldSBK ahead of the event. We must thank Yamaha Motor Racing and the MotoGP team for their support, and we are looking forward to welcoming Augusto to the team and to the WorldSBK paddock.”
