Following an illustrious 17-year career in the World Superbike Championship, the series lost its most successful star, Jonathan Rea, at the end of 2025. The Northern Irishman bowed out of the sport, cementing his name in the record books and achieving levels of dominance never seen before in the production-based championship.
He started his WorldSBK career with Ten Kate, often excelling the limits of the bike, taking wins and podiums, but needed a championship-winning package to dominate. From 2015 to 2020, Rea commanded every statistical metric imaginable in motorsport. After joining Kawasaki, he and the Japanese manufacturer simply became an unstoppable force, claiming six consecutive Riders’ titles, achieving the most wins and podiums of all time, and cementing himself as the statistical greatest since WorldSBK’s inception in 1988.
Although Kawasaki gradually declined in competitiveness in the following years, the then 36-year-old moved to Yamaha in an attempt to revive his career. However, the venture didn’t work out as either party had hoped, resulting in just one podium finish at the Superpole race in Donington. There were flashes of brilliance, but ultimately, a series of crashes led Rea to decide it was time to step away from full-time racing.
Regardless, Rea’s total of 119 race wins and 264 podiums are figures that transcend the sport. “Legacy” is a word often used in sports, and Rea has expressed that he would like to be remembered for more than just numbers, telling Motorsport Week: “I think the stats speak for themselves. I mean, there’s no arguing the fact that I’ve won the most races, won six consecutive World Championships. And it’ll be a long, long time before that’s broken, especially to do it back-to-back. You know, that was really tough with no injuries, mechanicals, and I have, you know, 6 solid seasons.
“But I just hope to be remembered as somebody that gave everything on track, and, you know, was a real human outside of the track as well. And, yeah, I enjoyed the life that WorldSBK’s given me, and yeah, very grateful for every moment.
“I see myself, Jonathan Rea, a motorcyclist, you know, a father of two, husband and a team-mate, you know, in the WorldSBK paddock. We’re blessed in Northern Ireland to have great sporting heroes. And I’m just humbled to be mentioned in the same breath as some of them greats, but I can’t compare myself to them.”
The 38-year-old reflected on his career at an exceptional press conference on the Thursday ahead of the season finale in Jerez, presenting a speech that celebrated the milestones and successes that have defined his journey.
“It’s been a hell of a ride, and before I go on, I want to thank my parents, brothers, sisters, my wife and my kids because they’re the backbone of my career,” he shared. “People only see the highlight reel; they don’t see the tough moments, the blood, sweat and tears to get to that point, and I’m incredibly grateful to them. Thank you to Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha, you’ve given me the opportunity to live my dream. I grew up in Northern Ireland as a kid with pipe dreams of being a World Champion, but I’ve managed to achieve that dream, not once, but six times.
“I’m not naive enough to think that there aren’t hundreds or thousands [of] young riders with amazing talents who never get that opportunity. If there’s one lesson I’d give the younger generation, it’s to be ready when that opportunity faces you. When I got that opportunity, I grabbed it with both hands, and I was ready and won my first of many titles.”
His humble outlook deserves all the plaudits, though, especially as the Ballymena rider rose to the peak of the motorcycling summit in a different two-wheeled pursuit: circuit racing. Northern Ireland is one of the smallest countries in the world, but it’s a hotbed of deeply talented motorcycle riders.
Jonathan Rea discusses his tribute helmet for home round – Credit: Pata Maxus Yamaha
The Dunlop name carries immense weight in the world of motorsport, with Joey, Robert, William, and Michael forming a legendary quartet. They competed on the perilous roads of Ireland, and heartbreakingly, the first three lost their lives doing what they loved. The island’s deep-rooted motorsport culture helped shape Rea’s career, steering him away from motocross and into the world of circuit racing.
“Joey was a massive impact [both] in road racing and a huge hero for many people,” Rea reflected. “Not just for his sporting achievements, but for his humanitarian support and his charity work.”
But one circuit racer Rea admired is Jeremy McWilliams, a rider he would place on his personal Mount Rushmore (alongside Joey Dunlop and brothers Michael and Eugene Laverty) of the most influential Northern Irish riders.
“I think you have to put in guys like Jeremy McWilliams,” he said. “You know, qualifying on the front row of Grand Prix races with guys like Valentino Rossi is amazing and a really strong Grand Prix career.”
Despite the many Northern Irish stars in motorsport, discussions about the region are often political and geographical. Rea feels that, as part of the UK, these complexities could occasionally take attention away from his own success.
“Yes and no. We’re a smaller nation, compared to the likes of England, Scotland, and Wales, when you think about the UK or Great Britain,” he said. “So, of course, the media coverage is smaller, but the talent pool is as deep. You know, look at golf [Rory McIlroy], boxing [Barry McGuigan], snooker [Alex Higgins and Dennis Taylor], and motorcycles. It’s a country that really bats above, you know, punches above its weight.
“I’ve been proud to be able to carry the flag for Northern Ireland in motorcycles for the last years, but there’s so much to the country from my sporting side, and it’s challenging. We don’t have the same funding as mainland UK sporting disciplines or teams, if you like. And geographically, it’s more challenging. So just proud to fly the flag, if you like.”
Flying the flag for one’s country always carries extra significance, but Rea’s individual achievements are remarkable in their own right. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2017, the same year he finished as runner-up for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Only three other Northern Irish athletes have received that honour: Mary Peters in 1972, boxer Barry McGuigan, and, most recently, horse rider Tony McCoy.
After the season finale at Jerez, Rea’s next move became clear. While he will no longer be competing full-time, the wording he used when announcing his retirement back in August suggested he may remain involved in the paddock in some capacity.
He ultimately decided to continue circuit racing, albeit in a different role and setup. The move that best suited his schedule and desire for a new challenge was to become a test rider, returning to Honda in a full-circle moment. The Japanese marque’s last win in the series came in 2016 at Sepang, but the 15-time Honda race winner and 42-time podium finisher is back to help advance the project.
Reports indicate that Rea will also compete in two select WorldSBK races this season, potentially appearing at Portimao in March and Donington in July. He’s yet to try a single lap on the bike as Honda enters 2026 with a brand-new lineup comprising of Moto2 race winner Jake Dixon and former MotoGP rider Somkiat Chantra.
Even though his new role keeps him in the paddock and on high-speed superbikes, regardless of results, Rea will be remembered for elevating WorldSBK to an entirely new standard. At the peak of his career, few could challenge him, demonstrating that when the right rider has the right machine beneath him, extraordinary achievements are possible.