British · Ballymoney, Northern Ireland · Born 2 February 1987British motorcycle racer and six-time World Superbike Championship winner, holding the record for most WSBK wins with over 100 race victories.
Jonathan Rea was born on 2 February 1987 in Larne, Northern Ireland, and progressed through motocross before moving into circuit racing, finishing runner-up in the 2007 British Superbike Championship for HM Plant Honda and the 2008 Supersport World Championship for Ten Kate Honda. Rea joined the Superbike World Championship full-time in 2009, and developed into the most dominant rider in the series' history, winning six consecutive world titles between 2015 and 2020, a run of sustained excellence unmatched in the championship's history. He amassed a record 119 race wins and 264 podiums across his career. Rea made two Grand Prix starts in MotoGP in 2012, scoring points in both, though he remained focused on Superbike competition, where his dominance made him one of the most decorated motorcycle racers of his generation, named Irish Motorcyclist of the Year on four occasions. Rea announced his retirement from full-time racing in August 2025, and was appointed MBE in 2017 in recognition of his achievements, finishing runner-up for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award that same year. He returned to Honda in 2026 as a test rider, also competing in selected Endurance World Championship events.
Six consecutive World Superbike Championships and being the most successful rider in WSBK history
How They Played
Aggressive yet calculated racing style with exceptional consistency and racecraft
Lasting Impact
Transformed World Superbike racing and established himself as one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time
Career Honours
- World Superbike Championship Winner 2015
- World Superbike Championship Winner 2016
- World Superbike Championship Winner 2017
- World Superbike Championship Winner 2018
- World Superbike Championship Winner 2019
- World Superbike Championship Winner 2020
- Superpole Race Winner multiple times in World Superbike Championship
- British Supersport Champion 2008
- Riders Cup Winner with Kawasaki Racing Team in World Superbike Championship 2015
- Riders Cup Winner with Kawasaki Racing Team in World Superbike Championship 2016
- Riders Cup Winner with Kawasaki Racing Team in World Superbike Championship 2017
- Riders Cup Winner with Kawasaki Racing Team in World Superbike Championship 2018
- Riders Cup Winner with Kawasaki Racing Team in World Superbike Championship 2019
- Riders Cup Winner with Kawasaki Racing Team in World Superbike Championship 2020
British Athletes