Rea shrugs off barb from bikes chief

JONATHAN Rea has laughed off astonishing criticism from a World Superbikes chief who claims the Ballyclare rider lacks charisma.

Rea is closing in on a record fourth successive World Superbike title and was voted runner-up in last season’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. He is regarded as one of the most approachable, ambassadorial world champions in any sport.

But World Superbike sporting director Gregorio Lavilla surprised Rea’s legion of fans worldwide by questioning the Kawasaki rider’s popularity and personality.

Rea (below) can clinch his fourth straight title in France later this month after another double win in Portugal last weekend.

But when asked how the series could be made more exciting next season, Lavilla pointedly referenced the reigning champion, saying: “Unfortunately, we have the best one but maybe he is not the most charismatic guy and these things are maybe losing interest for people.

“We don’t do things to change this, we just try to have fair racing and the best may win. In the case it’s the same rider all the time, congratulations to him.”

Rea quickly made light of the comments with a typically humorous Twitter response to the story, complete with smiling picture of himself, commenting: “That smile though...”

Rea certainly helped catapult the sport into mainstream media when he made history with his third successive title last season. He was subsequently nominated for BBC SPOTY, picking up 80,567 votes to claim the runners-up spot — finishing only 2,957 behind winner Mo Farah.