Jonathan Rea's new chapter as a Honda test rider began in Jerez de la Frontera. On the eve of the two-day World Superbike test, which will be the scene of the first confrontation of the year between Ducati and BMW, the six-time world champion returned to wearing a helmet and leathers to complete his first laps on the Honda CBR1000RR-R.
It was an emotional debut for the Northern Irishman, who returned to Superbike racing for the first time since retiring at the end of the 2025 season. He also returned to sporting the Honda logo that accompanied him in the early years of his career: from his debut in BSB to his arrival in World Superbike, where he competed with the Tokyo-based manufacturer until 2014, achieving 15 victories and 42 podiums.
After this first contact with the bike and team, Rea will be back in action tomorrow and Thursday to support Jake Dixon and the HRC team, which is without the injured Somkiat Chantra.