Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and Yamaha had expressed their confidence heading into the 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship that a step had been made, but the start to the season could not have gone worse for the six-time World Champion. A big crash during the Official Test in Australia left Rea unfit with multiple fractures to his left foot, and he was subsequently ruled out of the Australian Round and the upcoming Portuguese Round at the end of March. After undergoing surgery, Rea has been working on his recovery back at home and provided an update on that process and the next steps as he looks to return to action as soon as he can.

REA DETAILS THE RECOVERY PROCESS: “I’ve been looking at everything; diet, supplements and using the hyperbaric chamber”

Rea’s injury required surgery shortly after the crash, with the #65 flying home to have the operation where he could then continue his rehabilitation process as he aims to return to the Yamaha R1 as soon as possible, while ensuring his recovery is as smooth as possible to avoid setbacks. The Ulsterman spoke about how he’s feeling a few weeks on from the crash and the surgery, while also explaining what the recovery process will consist of to help the injuries heal.

“I’m doing okay, it’s obviously a bit frustrating to be at home not able to do too much,” began Rea. “We are now two weeks post-surgery, and the pain has pretty much subsided, so I’m doing well considering. It really is a process and I’m doing everything in my power to try to get back on track and back to full fitness as fast and safely as possible. After our positive winter tests, I am so motivated to get back on the bike so I will do everything possible to enhance the recovery process, but obviously you have to be careful. I’ve been looking at everything, diet, supplements and of course using the hyperbaric chamber which I now have at home. As soon as the cast comes off, there are all sorts of things such as ultrasound equipment for bone healing which can give you some marginal gains in the recovery process. I want to treat the recovery process with as much effort and detail as I would one of my race weekends.”

Rea currently has a cast on his foot which he was hoping to have removed soon, but he’s still using it. He added: “I was hoping to get the cast off, but it’s staying on for now just to be safe. It needs time, your foot is a really important part of the body for load bearing, so I need to treat the rehab with care, and if that’s another few weeks in a cast then that’s what I’ll do. The idea is to go into an airboot after the cast comes off which should give me a bit more flexibility, which at least means it’ll be easier to have a wash!”

TRAINING THROUGH INJURY: “I got back in the gym and was able to do some upper body, core and neck workouts”

Although a foot injury heavily restricts the training available, due to the load being applied to it, there are still some areas of the body Rea can work on while his foot heals, particularly on the upper body. The 38-year-old has also been able to get outside without putting much load on his foot thanks to the purchase of a scooter that enables him to keep his foot up, while he also explained the next steps of his training programme once the cast comes off.

He said: “Being the petrolhead I am, I found it hard to watch the racing and I got pretty down in the first week, but after that initial period I got back in the gym and was able to do some upper body, core and neck workouts and also get on the cross-country ski trainer. I’ve also been able to get out for a walk with the dog and Tarsh with a little scooter we’ve bought – it was nice to get outside! Once I get in the airboot we can ramp the training up a bit, look at doing some swimming and some other bits. At the minute I am being led by the specialists and trying to be as careful as I can without going crazy being stuck at home!”

TIMEFRAME FOR RETURN: “I only want to come back on the bike when I know I can give 100% as that’s what my team, Yamaha and I deserve”

With Rea guaranteed to be out for the Portuguese Round at the end of March, and replaced by Augusto Fernandez, there’s been no confirmation about when the 119-time WorldSBK race winner will return to action. Rea didn’t specify a round where he’d like to be back in action, insisting that he was listening to specialists, physios, and his coach, and stated that he wants to be back on the bike when he can give 100%.

He stated: “It's always difficult when you are injured, and you’re asked about a timeframe. Of course, you have a target in your head, but it’s important to listen to the specialists, physios and my coach at home. Sometimes in racing you are so focused on getting back when really the best thing for you might be to miss one more race to allow the injury that bit more. I am 100% committed to being on the bike as fast as I can, but WorldSBK is at such a competitive level right now I only want to come back on the bike when I know I can give 100% as that’s what my team, Yamaha and I deserve. It’s hard to be patient, but we are going through the process.”

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