After calling time on his full-time racing career in 2025, six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea has officially been announced as Honda’s new test rider.
The Northern Irishman bowed out of the sport as one of the series’ most successful riders, with six titles, 119 wins and 264 podiums — all of which are all-time records.
After announcing in August his intention to retire from full-time racing, Rea admitted he’d like to continue riding motorcycles in some capacity.
Rea reportedly received test ride offers from both Yamaha and BMW, but his move to Honda came following discussions about a possible seat in the factory team for the Suzuka 8 Hours in 2026.
The Northern Irishman returns to the Japanese brand where he started his career, after spending multiple years with Dutch privateer team Ten Kate Racing.
Rea will now work alongside Honda’s newest pairing, MotoGP’s Somkiat Chantra and Moto2’s Jake Dixon.
“From the moment HRC shared their plans and the new role they envision for me, I was immediately excited to understand how I could contribute,” Rea announced via WorldSBK.
“It feels like a real full-circle moment to return to Honda, the manufacturer with which I gained my initial WorldSBK experience and my very first race win in the category.
“Although my role will be quite different from what I’ve been used to as a full-time racer, I’m highly motivated to embrace this new chapter.
“My aim is to bring all the experience and knowledge I’ve gained throughout my career and use it to support the development of the CBR1000RR-R and the Honda HRC factory team in the best possible way.
“I’m also very happy to be working again with Chris Pike, the Honda HRC test team project manager and my former crew chief, with whom I share great memories and mutual respect.
“Working together as a team, I’m confident we can build something truly positive for the future. I can’t wait to get started.”
Honda HRC Team Manager Yuji Mori added: “We are very pleased to welcome Jonathan back to our WorldSBK project and to the Honda family.
“Having the most successful rider in WorldSBK history join us in a role as important as HRC test rider is truly significant for all of us and, we believe, for the series itself.
“Jonathan began his international career with Honda, and to see him return now with such a wealth of knowledge and experience makes this collaboration especially valuable and underlines our full and continued commitment to the Superbike project.
“His contribution will play an important part as we keep developing our programme and work towards bringing Honda back to the level we are aiming for in the championship.”
READ MORE – Jonathan Rea reunites with Honda for WorldSBK testing role – report
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