Yamaha Motor Europe confirmed that Augusto Fernandez will step in for the injured Jonathan Rea in the second round of the 2025 FIM Superbike World Championship at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.
Rea was ruled unfit for the opening round of the championship in Australia after a crash in the traditional preseason 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, February 21. The exact timeframe for rehabilitation has yet to be determined, but Rea will miss the upcoming Portimao test (March 14-15) and round two (March 28-30).
Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP test rider Augusto Fernandez will stand in for the six-time World Champion, joining the Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team for both the test and race in Portimao.
Twenty-seven-year-old Fernandez, 2022 Moto2 World Champion, joined Yamaha as its MotoGP test rider after two years racing in the premier class. While he is less familiar with the R1 WorldSBK and Pirelli tires, the two-day test ahead of the second round will provide the Spaniard with the opportunity to get used to the bike.
“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,” said Fernandez. “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 Portimao test to spend some time on the bike and to see how it feels.”
“Jonathan has been sorely missed here in Phillip Island,” said Niccolo Canepa, Road Racing Sporting Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe. “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 Portimao, 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 are looking forward to welcoming Augusto to the team and to the WorldSBK paddock.” CN
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