00:00Jonathan Rae, penultimate round of the World Superbike season, penultimate round of your career as a full-time World SPK rider.
00:07Tell us a bit about how you approach this Estoril round.
00:09Honestly, mixed emotions really. It was probably the toughest backpack I've had because I'm going to stay out between Estoril and Hareth.
00:19So very, very strange to be honest.
00:21But looking forward to it, especially on the back of a strong Sunday in Aragon, a strong Sunday in Magnacour as well.
00:28I feel if we can build this momentum into the weekends, then we can feel comfortable with the bike and try and ride to full potential and do some good results.
00:38Last year in Estoril was quite a positive round for yourself as well.
00:41You had the pace to compete for the top five in both long races at the very least, as well as speaking from memory.
00:48Coming off that pace in the last couple of rounds, considering what you had last year, what would be a bit the target for this Estoril round in particular?
00:56Yeah, good. I don't want to tie myself up now with the expectations, but I think last year was a solid one.
01:03I think we've really improved the bike as well.
01:05But like everything, everyone's improved.
01:07You know, the benchmark's higher this year.
01:09We need to try and get through Friday well.
01:12Pirelia brought some new front tyres to try.
01:14The X tyres back, SCQ.
01:17So a bit of an evaluation tomorrow to see what's what.
01:21But I think we can put it together and maximise our qualifying.
01:24Then there's no reason why we can't at least aim to fight inside that top five.
01:28And that'll be the plan.
01:30We haven't been racing at Estoril for that long, but there still have been a couple of big highlights that I'd like to point out.
01:36Firstly, 2020.
01:38It wasn't necessarily in terms of results, your most positive round, your most memorable round.
01:42But in terms of race one, getting that sixth title done, certainly one which I imagine you remember quite fondly.
01:48It was incredible.
01:49You know, tough and strange times as well.
01:53That was in the COVID period where the championship was cut a little bit short.
01:57We started in a delay.
01:59Races came in quick succession.
02:00But to finish here in Estoril with a sixth title was incredible.
02:04You know, I remember it well because we had a we had a nice, you know, nice party afterwards and enjoyed the fruits of our labour, let's say.
02:15I enjoy the track and enjoy coming here.
02:18I've seen a little bit of the surrounding area as well.
02:20And it was a great addition to the calendar and it's nice to come back.
02:24Neil, the moment I'd like to highlight one of your more recent wins.
02:27And I think for a lot of people, one of your best wins are World Superbike 2022.
02:30Last lap versus Bautista, that lunge into turn nine, that moment going around the final corner.
02:37It's a pretty visually incredible win for everybody.
02:40Yeah, you know, we were up against it.
02:43But, you know, when the stars align, we could still make the difference and be strong.
02:47And, you know, when I was fighting with Alvaro in that race and, you know, his bike, we would make strength.
02:52We'd be strong and weak in different areas.
02:54And I just had to make sure that last sector was nailed on.
02:57But I had such a huge slide from memory going around that last corner.
03:01I thought I'd almost blown it.
03:03But fortunately, I had enough of a gap and was able to seal that race win.
03:08And finally, Johnny, after the Aragon round, it was confirmed that Xavi Vieja will be the rider who replaces you in Patti Amaha next season.
03:15He also mentioned after that you'd put in a good word for him as well to the teams.
03:19I'd like to get your opinion as well on him joining the crew for 2026.
03:24Yeah, super excited because Xavi's, you know, a great guy, a great personality.
03:29I've seen him many times in the off-seasons with, you know, pre-season training together and motocross and whatnot.
03:34So I really, really love my guys there.
03:38And I'm fortunate that they're very fortunate to have Xavi in the box.
03:41It was nice to – he's an ultimate professional.
03:45I know he'll give 100% and I think or I hope also that his riding style really matches with the Yamaha R1.
03:54I think it will just from following him, you know, this season.
03:58And I wish him and also the team all the best into 26.
04:02Well, thanks for your time, Johnny, and enjoy this weekend.
