Jonathan Rea says he’s “blessed” by one aspect of his multi-generational WorldSBK career.

The Northern Irishman began his career in the top category of WorldSBK back in 2009, and ended it after 119 wins and six world titles.

Rea’s 17-year WorldSBK career has seen him go up against the likes of Troy Bayliss and Noriyuki Haga, Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa, and Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu.

Such strong competition is one aspect of his career that Rea is especially grateful for.

“I’ve been blessed,” Rea said, speaking at a pre-event press conference at the Spanish WorldSBK.

“I started in this championship in 2008, 2009. I got to race with the best: Bayliss, Corser, Haga, Spies, Melandri, Biaggi, Checa, Alvaro [Bautista], Chaz [Davies], Tom Sykes, Guintoli, and just so blessed to have this opportunity.”

For Rea, though, if there is one rider that stands out as the strongest rival from his career it’s Chaz Davies.

“For me, it’s Chaz [Davies],” said Rea, when asked who his greatest rival has been.

“Of course, that was the longest battle – for many years. 

“I had so many rivals from different moments in time. I think one of the most difficult to beat was probably 2021, the championship with Toprak [Razgatlioglu] – I don’t think either Toprak or I wanted to actually win that championship! We threw away points so many times. 

“But, just as a rival, when you think about a rivalry, [...] Chaz and I – through 2016, 2017, 2018, [they] were really special years.”