Crash contributed to retirement decision – Rea

Instinct was a key factor in Jonathan Rea’s incredible six-year reign as World Superbike champion, and it is the same trait that led to his decision to retire at the end of the season.

The 38-year-old Northern Irishman won six world titles between 2015 and 2020, 119 victories, 264 podiums, and 44 pole positions, breaking every previous record he had during his 17-year career. However, he acknowledged that “the last two years have been really tough from a performance standpoint” as it became clear a return to the top is beyond him.

The Ballyclare man missed the first three rounds of this year’s championship before making a fourth-round return to Italy after breaking his foot during testing at Phillip Island in February.

However, he once more left the bike in the following round at Most in the Czech Republic, and he immediately realized it was too many setbacks.

He told Stephen Watson of BBC Sport NI, “I did a little shoulder check on the gravel to make sure I was clear, but the bike was coming at me.”

I was “growing out of the way as quickly as possible,” I said on all fours. Any chance I had of continuing that day was ruined by that moment.

As rivals, fans, and those not involved in motorsport commended their accomplishments on a remarkable career, the announcement on Monday sparked a wave of gratitude and well wishes for the future.

Rea described his journey from young hopeful to multi-world champion as “humiliated” by the countless messages he received.

My dad came in through the door, gave me a big hug, and thanked me for making the decision. We both shed a tear, he said, “Tarsh’s wife Tatiana was crying.”

My dad won numerous motorcycle races, and our family has a strong motorcycle heritage. Everyone in my family and my mother jumped up on that little dream.

“I feel happy with my career. I had a dream to become a world champion when I first started competing on motocross tracks. I had the opportunity to ride for good teams and work with good people very early in my career.

When he leaves after the final round of this year’s championship in Spain in October, it will be difficult for him to end his career, but Rea predicts that the pressure will only start to pay off once the season is over.

However, he insists that while there have been some magical moments on the track, including his first championship at Misano in 2009 and, of course, his first world title, 2015, sharing those with his family has been the highlight.

He doesn’t think he will be too far from the sport as he looks to determine what will follow, but his main goal is to finish off strong and perhaps make it to the podium once more.

Let’s aim for the stars and see what happens, they say, “It’s been a difficult year to start it on the operating table.” It would be a fitting way for me to conclude my world Superbike career.

“I can leave knowing that I gave it all, on time and in the race.” I’ll stick to that until the championship’s final round, which I’m confident will be challenging for a number of reasons, but I’ll roll my sleeves up and get stuck in.

I began my career while raising a family, and we took the children along with us.