The record breaking career of Jonathan Rea was “like a dream” despite its difficult final two years with Yamaha.
Rea’s 17-year full-time WorldSBK career ended with 119 victories and six world titles, putting him comfortably atop the all-time lists in both categories.
The 38-year-old brought an end to his WorldSBK career at the final round of the 2025 season in Jerez, where he scored no points after crashing out in Race 1 and the Superpole Race, the latter fall resulting in a knee injury that prevented him from lining up for Race 2 and stopped him taking part in the November tests at Jerez with Honda in his new test rider role with HRC.
The ending came after two seasons with Yamaha that were marred by injury and underperformance, the Northern Irishman scoring only one podium and one pole position in his time aboard the Yamaha R1 and missing five rounds through injury.
Despite the hard ending, however, Rea was able to look back on his career positively when speaking in pre-event press conference at the Spanish WorldSBK that drew an end to the 2025 season.
“Like a dream,” Rea said when asked to summarise his career.
“Yes, like a dream.
“My parents forced me to go to school– I had to go to school.
“I think this sport, and Superbike, has taught me more about life, friendships, relationships, business, winning, losing, than any academic could ever teach you. Just grateful. It’s been a dream.”
