Rea to make World Superbike return – seven months after retiring

Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea will make his return to competitive motorcycle racing seven months after announcing his retirement.

Rea stepped away from full-time racing at the end of the 2025 season following a stint with Yamaha, but joined Honda in November as a test rider for the 2026 campaign.

He will compete for Honda in Portimao in place of the injured Jake Dixon, who is expected to reclaim his spot once he recovers from wrist surgery.

Rea was previously with Honda between 2007 and 2014, amassing 42 podiums and 15 race wins before winning six successive World Superbike titles with Kawasaki between 2015 and 2020.

The 39-year-old, who made his World Superbike debut at Portimao in 2008, holds the championship record for race starts (470), race wins (119) and podiums (264).