Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is the most successful MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship rider of all time. The 36-year-old has six titles, 118 wins and 251 podiums to his name so far with the Northern Irishman eager to add to these stats in 2023 and beyond. In a feature interview, Rea spoke about the thought of retirement, how 2023 has been challenging for him and his KRT squad and the next steps to return to winning ways.

REA RULES OUT RETIREMENT: “I’m so motivated; I want to win again!”

With silly season in full swing, the Ulsterman was the first to be committed to 2024 after he signed a contract that would see him through 2023 and next year with KRT. However, Rea revealed he has thought about retirement but remains motivated to win again with the team he’s had so much success with. Despite the thought crossing his mind, Rea spoke about riding in “the best shape I ever have” as he looks to climb back to the top step of the podium.

Speaking about retirement crossing his mind and then ruling it out, Rea stated: “I’ve thought about retiring. When you find it hard to be really competitive, I started to ask myself. I started to have those questions. It’s tough because people questioned what I’m doing here, ‘he’s done enough’ or ‘why does he keep turning up?’ but right now it’s at that point where I still really believe in the programme I’m in. Hopefully we can find the way. I’m so motivated to win. I want to win again. I feel like I have so much more left to give. I feel like I’m riding in the best shape I ever have. I’m really busting my ass every lap. Right now, it seems far because it’s hard to be competitive but if you really believe that it’s possible, why not work?

“I don’t have much else. I’ve got my wife and kids at home but, aside from racing motorbikes, I have nothing. It’s my life. It’s all I’ve known since I was a kid, and I haven’t allowed myself to think what comes after. Until that day comes where I don’t feel like I can be competitive, or maybe I’m not enjoying things in the same way, maybe I’ll think about walking away. When you’re not winning, you must take enjoyment from other areas and that’s tough. I’ve been through it. I’m starting to learn to set smaller targets. Don’t just become obsessed about winning. Find ways to keep motivated.”

2023 IN REVIEW: “very challenging… times have changed”

This season has been difficult for the multiple World Champion. He has taken only six podiums in six rounds – two of which came on home soil at Donington – while he is yet to win this year. His last victory came at Phillip Island in Race 1 last year but, in 2023, the wins have been taken primarily by Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) although Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) has claimed two. Rea is in a fierce battle for third place, 12 points behind Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) and 17 ahead of Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) in fifth.

Reviewing the first half of 2023, Rea said: “When I look back over the season so far, it’s been very challenging. Times have changed from where we’ve been winning every weekend. The biggest thing we’re missing is development. Fundamentally, our bike’s been the same for many years and we’re a little bit of a victim of our own success. When you’re winning for many years, there’s not much reason to improve. I think Ducati came with their bike in 2019, it was the first shotgun effect that this is the new level. Other manufacturers have started coming with new bikes and making huge improvements. We’re making small changes but now we need a big step. WorldSBK’s at a very high level. We need to work hard to find that level again. We were there once. I’ve great people around me. Trust the process and weather the storm. Hopefully we can come out and challenge for wins.”

THE NEXT STEP: looking to end the year on a high

WorldSBK moves into the second half of the season this weekend with the Prometeon Italian Round, as the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola returns to the calendar for the first time since 2019. It’s a circuit Rea has enjoyed a lot of success at in the past; he was first or second in every race there since 2013 Race 2. KRT and Rea will be hoping Imola can kickstart a successful end to the year so they can start next year on a high.

On his feeling with the bike and looking to take the next step, Rea remarked: “I feel good with the bike. We’re starting to make some steps. Hopefully we can end the season in a better way than we started. My goal for the last part of 2023 is to be on the podium most weekends. When you get a podium, there’s that small reward that you’ve achieved something good. Finishing fourth can be good, you can be close, but there’s not that same sense of achievement. Now in WorldSBK and the Paddock Show, when you’re there you feel validated and good. My main target is to win a race. I want to win again so badly. There will be times this year where we can have a chance to fight. Every weekend isn’t an expectation right now because our competitors are so far, but to be on the podium and to win a race would be a nice way to say we succeeded in this part of 2023.”

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