Jonathan Rea has no regrets about retiring: “You learn to appreciate success more”

Between 2009 and 2025, Jonathan Rea was a permanent Superbike rider on the starting grid – the 39-year-old has competed in an incredible 17 seasons. The six-time world champion and 119-time race winner remained involved as a test rider – and also as a wildcard and stand-in rider.

However, Rea has no regrets about stepping out of the limelight. “When you’re no longer a permanent Superbike rider, you learn to appreciate your successes more. But when you look at Bulega and what he’s achieved in six months, it’s incredible. I had a different kind of dominance when we were at the top for over six years. It’s mad when you think about it,” emphasised the 39-year-old during thepresentation of the Dorna documentary *The Greatest* about the record-breaking world champion. “The documentary has turned out brilliantly and now I have something I can show my children and, one day, my grandchildren. I’m actually quite proud of it.”

The Northern Irishman is realistic enough to know that his records won’t stand forever. “Of course, it’s nice to be called the greatest of all time – I like it! I’m not embarrassed by it; it’s based on facts. But the day will come when someone will surpass me,” Rea is convinced. “Before me, it was Carl Fogarty, and my records will eventually be broken by someone else too. Then that person will be the king of the Superbike World Championship. Until then, I’ll be the one, but not forever.”

By nature, Rea is a down-to-earth person who doesn’t put himself in the spotlight. His wife Tatia has always kept him grounded. “My wife doesn’t say things like that to me very often, but she does sometimes – on my birthdays she posts nice things about me on Instagram,” smiled the family man. “I certainly don’t get called the greatest of all time every day at home.”