Jonathan Rea in contemplative mood before his final World Superbike race in Jerez
AND they all lived happily ever after…
We’ve all heard of fairytale endings, right?
But very few get them, especially athletes at the top of their game.
While Jonathan Rea is planning to reap the rewards of 20 plus years of hard work now and live a happy life with his beautiful family, he certainly didn’t get the ending to his career that he wished for.
After 17 seasons competing in World Superbikes, Rea brought the curtain down on his illustrious career at the WSB Championship 2025 season finale in Jerez, Spain. He announced his retirement in August this year. A bad crash in Australia at the start of the season resulted in multiple fractures to his left foot and another crash in the Czech Republic in May were big factors in Rea’s decision. “I tried to play down the crash in Phillip Island at the time but it was bad,” Jonathan told me in an interview for UTV.
“When I crashed again in the Czech Republic and I saw the bike coming towards me I thought, ‘that’s it’. I’m not Peter Pan, I’m 38 and I know the time is right. I have had an amazing career but now it’s time to reap the rewards of that.”
At that stage there were still three rounds of the WSBK Championship left and Jonathan told me he wanted to finish strongly with a podium finish over his last few races. But despite getting a better feeling on his Yamaha bike during the penultimate meeting, the final weekend turned out to be as tough as the opener in Australia.
I watched from trackside as Rea crashed out of Race 1 on the Saturday and again in the Superpole Race on the Sunday. The Sunday race caused the most damage as he had to be stretched off the track and was declared unfit to take part in Race Two – the final race of the season. That was a devastating blow as Jonathan’s ‘never give up’ mentality is the reason he is the most successful Superbike rider of all time – the unprecedented six time World Champion.
His dream ending was taken from him and all that was due to follow. A lap of thanks to the fans and a special presentation from World Superbikes was part of the special celebrations planned for after the final race. Instead Jonathan had to hobble into his garage before the final race where his Yamaha team lined up with a banner saying ‘Thank You JR’. Emotional scenes followed but, when the dust settled, Jonathan tried to be as positive as possible.
“I was really upset when I was told I couldn’t take part in the final race but there’s no way I could with my knee,” Jonathan told me. “But at least I can walk away and I am ok. It’s not the fairytale I had hoped for but I think I had my fairytale during my years of winning my six world titles. And when I look back in months to come this will just be a blip and I can look back at my an amazing career.”
After the final race, despite being hardly able to walk, Jonathan spent much time signing hundreds of autographs for fans, some of whom has travelled to the WSKB Championship for the first time just to see their hero before he retired.
“The fans have been amazing and I want to thank them all,” he told me. “The messages of support I received when I announced my retirement were truly humbling from everyone. Family, friends, peers but from fans who said I had been an inspiration to them in tough times, that meant the most.”
Jonathan then hobbled off to his family and friends to celebrate with a glass of Prosecco before leaving the Jerez track and being honoured nearby at the World Superbike Awards as he received the Champion of Champions accolade.
And just like that, full time racing was over.
We have been spoiled by Jonathan Rea’s success on the circuit where he smashed all the records – the most World titles (6), wins (119), podiums (264) and fastest laps (104) in World Superbike history.
But we’ve also been spoiled with what he brings off it. A humble, approachable, relatable, decent human being who has flown the flag for Northern Ireland sport and represented us with class and dedication.
World Superbikes’ loss will now be the Rea family’s gain, especially his wife Tatia and boys, Jake and Tyler.
Tatia was very emotional after the crash on his final day, as were his parents, Johnny and Claire. But they were all relieved as this chapter came to a close.
“I’m so happy it’s over and that he’s in one piece,” Johnny told me. “Gutted for him in how it ended but I’m so glad he’s in one piece.”
After plenty of tears Tatia joked: “I always said when Jonathan retires it;s his turn to do the bins because he’s never been around to do it but I guess with his knee I’ll have to do the bins for a bit longer now!”
Jake and Tyler told me they “can’t wait” to have their dad home more now and are excited to see him on the sidelines of their Linfield Academy matches.
Siblings Richard, Kris and Claire all spoke to me of their pride in what their brother has achieved but more so in the person he is.
Fairytale endings are overrated but Jonathan Rea can walk away from full time racing with his head held high, knowing he Dreamed, Believed and Achieved.
Jonathan’s biggest fans, his wife Tatia and sons Jake and Tyler
Preparing for that last race
Fans who travelled to Jerez (above and below)
Filming in Jerez for UTV with Jonathan Rea’s brother, Kris, and cameraman John Vennard
