Feature Story
Jonathan Rea Closes the Chapter on an Unmatched WorldSBK Career
End of an Era for Jonathan Rea
After nearly two decades around the grid and a countless number of achievements, former Kawasaki Racing Team rider Jonathan Rea is heading into retirement from full-time racing at the end of the 2025 FIM Superbike World Championship season.
Rea’s record-breaking career with Kawasaki began in 2015. From the first moment he swung his leg over the bike, the partnership was destined for greatness. His debut victory at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit set the tone for what would become the most dominant run in WorldSBK history. Over nine unmatched seasons aboard the Kawasaki Ninja® ZX™-10R and ZX™-10RR, Rea redefined the racing landscape.
Between 2015 and 2020, Rea delivered six consecutive WorldSBK Championships, including 104 victories and 221 podiums aboard the Kawasaki machinery. Making the Northern Irishman the most successful rider in the history of WorldSBK, with two more championships than the next best rider.
As Rea prepares to take his final laps around the circuit, he looks to close out the season strong and reflect on all the memories he’s made and the people that he’s met. With four rounds left, Rea’s farewell will take place at the Jerez Circuit, closing out the chapter on a remarkable career that elevated WorldSBK to new heights.
Rea's Career in Numbers
Kilometers raced in WorldSBK
Laps raced in WorldSBK
Points scored in WorldSBK
Laps led
Race starts, the most of any other WorldSBK rider
Podiums, the most of any WorldSBK rider
Race wins, the only WorldSBK rider with over 100 wins
Fastest laps, the most of any WorldSBK rider and only rider with a triple digit record
WorldSBK Championships
Guim Roda
Rea's Team Manager at Kawasaki Racing Team
“After working for more than eight years with Johnny and achieving six world championships, I can say that I have had a very honest and sincere relationship with him, built on the deepest mutual respect and the constant search for perfection. He has been one of those people with whom everything in our conversations was aimed at performance. And when that wasn’t the reason, many times we just sat together without saying much, simply with the comfort of knowing that if at any moment we had to pursue a difficult goal, we would be each other's best companions. It is honest on his part to say that this is a ‘slow down’ rather than a complete farewell, because fire still runs through his veins. I hope that every time he gets on a bike in the future, and he will, he enjoys it to the fullest. I also want to take this opportunity to thank his wife, Tarsh, for her quiet support in the background. Now Johnny will have to better balance his attention as a father and watch from the sidelines as his children bring out the best of the ‘Reas’ in football!”
Pere Riba
Rea's Crew Chief at Kawasaki Racing Team
“It’s been an absolute privilege to share part of the extraordinary path of JR’s career, together with JR and the Kawasaki Racing Team. We have shared extraordinary moments, winning races and championships. This is now over, but his friendship and his attitude to work hard and to push the limits will remain within the KRT family and me personally forever.”
