Jonathan Rea

Rea initially competed in motocross before friends Michael and Eugene Laverty persuaded him to contest the 2003 British 125cc Championship. Backed by Red Bull, he joined the British Superbike Championship in 2005 on a factory-specification Honda Fireblade, showing immediate promise with a pole position ahead of established rivals. In 2006 he finished fourth overall in the BSB, and in 2007 secured his first BSB victory at Mondello Park followed by a double at Knockhill, ultimately finishing runner-up to champion Ryuichi Kiyonari by 26 points.

In September 2007 Rea signed a three-year progressive agreement with Ten Kate Honda — Supersport World Championship for 2008, then Superbikes from 2009. In the 2008 WSS season he won at Brno and Brands Hatch (the Brands Hatch race was halted early after the fatal accident of Craig Jones) and a third time at Vallelunga, finishing second overall in the championship.

Rea joined Ten Kate Honda's World Superbike squad in 2009, taking his first WSBK victory at Misano in a chaotic weekend that included a ride-through penalty and ignition difficulties. He spent his entire subsequent career to 2014 on Honda machinery, adding double victories at Assen in 2010 and further wins throughout his tenure, though injuries — including a broken femur that ended his 2013 season — interrupted his progress. He made two MotoGP starts in 2012, replacing the injured Casey Stoner for Repsol Honda, finishing 8th at Misano and 7th at Aragon.

Rea joined Kawasaki Racing Team as Tom Sykes's teammate for the 2015 season, dominating the campaign with 14 victories and securing his maiden World Superbike title. He retained the championship in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 — six consecutive titles, a feat unprecedented in the series. On 9 June 2018 at Brno, Rea claimed his 60th career victory, surpassing Carl Fogarty's previous record.

After his run of titles, Rea continued with Kawasaki but was unable to recapture the championship. He competed with Yamaha in his final season, though a knee injury prevented him from participating in his last scheduled race in October 2025. He announced his retirement from full-time racing in August 2025. For 2026 he rejoins Honda as a test rider and will compete in selected Endurance World Championship events, describing the move as a full-circle moment given his career began on Honda machinery.

Rea's family has deep roots in motorcycle road racing: his father Johnny won the 1989 Junior TT at the Isle of Man TT, and his grandfather John sponsored legendary rider Joey Dunlop. Rea married Tatiana Weston in 2012 in the Lake District. He was appointed MBE in the 2017 Birthday Honours and OBE in the 2022 New Year Honours, both for services to motorcycle racing. Queen's University Belfast conferred an honorary doctorate on him in December 2019.

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