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FEATURE<br />
IS THIS THE END OF<br />
AN ERA?<br />
Don’t count on it but whether<br />
2019 is the year that Jonathan<br />
Rea finally trips-up is a<br />
legitimate talking point in the<br />
WorldSBK paddock. The four<br />
times champion has dominated<br />
WorldSBK in recent years<br />
but for the first time since<br />
joining Kawasaki, he might be<br />
forced to look over his shoulder<br />
at a bag full of rivals.<br />
The foundation of Rea’s success<br />
has been built on dominance<br />
over his teammate.<br />
With Tom Sykes put in his<br />
place, Rea felt the confidence<br />
that comes from being able<br />
to focus on a single title<br />
rival. Typically this has been<br />
Chaz Davies, but for 2019 the<br />
Yamaha has looked strong<br />
in testing and the blue machine<br />
has four capable riders.<br />
Ducati has an all-new bike<br />
and with WorldSBK regulars<br />
Davies and Eugene Laverty<br />
joined by MotoGP refugee<br />
Alvaro Bautista the Italian<br />
manufacturer has the personnel<br />
capable of getting back to<br />
the front. Add in a motivated<br />
Sykes on a brand new BMW<br />
and you’ve got a mouth-watering<br />
grid.<br />
Fighting a title battle is hard<br />
enough but fighting it out<br />
over multiple fronts is even<br />
more difficult. Rea is going to<br />
have to go through a wall of<br />
opposition this season. The<br />
Kawasaki is the most versatile<br />
machine and Rea is the
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