Rea to leave Kawasaki, the end of an era in SBK

It is now official, but it was already common knowledge that Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki would part ways at the end of the 2023 season. As it bids farewell to its champion, Kawasaki turns the page and puts an end to an era that saw the Rea/Kawasaki pairing dominate for six seasons.

A record-breaking team

When Jonathan Rea rode the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R for the first time in 2015, flanking champion Tom Sykes, few would have imagined that the Northern Irish rider would go on to write Superbike history. With a half season still to go aboard the Ninja, Jonathan Rea has achieved incredible results with the green bike, or rather 104 race wins, 72 second place finishes and 38 third places. From 262 race starts with the Ninja over the past nine seasons, Jonathan Rea has finished 81.6% of races on the podium, and almost 88% of races in the six seasons he scored the title. While the records held by Carl Fogarty and Troy Bayliss appeared unbeatable prior to his arrival in Kawasaki, Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki have rewritten the history of this sport.

A winning family

Despite his age, 36-year old Jonathan Rea still believes he can fight for the title but right now, and also due to past decisions by Dorna, Kawasaki is unable to provide him with what he wants. The decision to change team after having always felt such a part of the Provec family is motivated only by his desire to continue making a mark in SBK.

“I will leave KRT at the end of the season. I want to thank everyone at KMC and KRT for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to prove myself at the highest level. I have learnt and grown so much as a person and a rider since the first day throwing my leg over the factory Ninja ZX-10R superbike.

Winning six consecutive WorldSBK Championships will always be the most obvious highlight of my time with Kawasaki; but it will also be the amazing memories, the life lessons, and the laughs that I will take with me into the future. And, for sure, it’s our mission to complete the 2023 season as strongly and with as much commitment as we have always shown.

Now, looking back on our journey, it fills me with pride at the joy and happiness we have brought Kawasaki fans and Kawasaki owners around the world. This is not a goodbye, because you don’t say goodbye to family, but it is simply the end of this incredible chapter. I wish everyone at KRT the best of luck for the chapters that will surely follow. See you at the track.”