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Six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea explains what enticed him to reunite with Honda as its official test rider.
Six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea recently announced his decision to reunite with Honda as its official test rider after retiring from full-time Superbike World Championship racing in 2025. With a remarkable career record of 119 wins, 264 podium finishes, and six consecutive championships, Rea is regarded as one of the most successful riders in the series’ history. Returning to Honda, where he began his career, Rea is motivated by the manufacturer’s ‘underdog’ status as they seek their first win since 2016. Expressing the importance of rider comfort before performance upgrades, Rea emphasizes the collaborative effort to enhance the bike’s speed and competitiveness. Rea is set to participate in the upcoming WorldSBK tests at Portimao and will make wildcard appearances at Algarve and Donington Park this season.
