HRC has announced a new partnership with six-time SBK world champion and former Honda rider Jonathan Rea, who will join the Japanese manufacturer's team as a test rider in 2026. The 38-year-old needs no introduction: he is the most successful SBK rider of all time, with 6 world titles, 119 wins and 264 podiums to his name.
The Northern Irishman started his career right with Honda. First for three years in the British Superbike championship, finishing the 2007 season in second place, while the following year he switched to World Supersport with Ten Kate Honda and finished the year in second place overall. This result enabled him to make the jump to SBK for the 2009 season, again with Honda, and his association with the Japanese manufacturer continued until the end of 2014. During that time, he collected 42 podiums, 15 of which were wins. These results placed him third on Honda's all-time list of most successful SBK riders.
After deciding to retire from racing at the end of this year, Jonathan Rea has now returned to Honda as a test rider for the Honda HRC Superbike project.
"From the moment HRC shared their plans and the new role they envision with me, I was immediately excited how I could contribute," said Jonathan Rea. "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 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."
Yuji Mori,Team Manager of Honda HRC: "We are very pleased to welcome Jonathan back to our project in SBK and to the Honda family. Having the most successful rider in the history of SBK with us in such an important role as a test rider for HRC is really 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 partnership especially valuable and underscores our total and ongoing commitment to the Superbike project. His input will be critical as we continue to develop our program and work to bring Honda back to the level we have set for ourselves in the championship."