Jonathan Rea arrives at the first World Superbike Round since announcing his retirement at the end of the year.

The French World Superbike Round will be an emotional weekend for Jonathan Rea after announcing his retirement from racing at the end of the season.

There are still four rounds remaining of the 2025 World Superbike Championship, giving the six-time Champion 12 chances to feature on a podium before hanging up his leathers for the last time.

"It’s race week and so strange – after announcing my retirement at the end of 2025 – it will be the last time that I’m going to race at Magny-Cours," Rea.

"I have mixed emotions, and whilst it is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, it was important to share the decision in the summer break with the sole target of arriving in France without any pressure and to give a really good account of myself and the Yamaha R1.

"Magny-Cours is special for many reasons and I won my first title there, but last year was marred with injury when I needed surgery on my thumb after crashing in Race 1 with Bulega at the final chicane. This year I hope to put the “demons” of 2024 to bed.

"I really enjoy the track – it suits my style and it suits the Yamaha R1 as well. It’s a circuit where you must have a bike that changes direction very well, turns and maximised in the braking area. I’m looking forward to working through Friday with the crew – like most Magny-Cours weekends, we have to pay attention to the weather because in September you can experience super high temperatures or showers and rain! We have to be prepared whatever comes our way.

"It’s going to be a special weekend, and I’m looking forward to getting started after the long summer break without riding, so just step-by-step in the beginning and try to sharpen the set-up to be ready for the three races over the weekend."

After competing in five of the eight rounds across the 2025 season, Rea finds himself down in 18th in the Championship standings with a best result of fifth and 37 points to his name.