Rea renews contract with Kawasaki

After being linked with a possible switch to MotoGP, three-time world superbike (WorldSBK) champion Jonathan Rea has finally decided to extend his contract with Kawasaki that will take both parties through to the end of the 2020 season.

First joining Kawasaki in 2015, it was a match made in heaven for the Northern Irelander and his ZX-10R machine. Winning his first race with the team at Phillip Island, he then went on to take 13 more victories that season, topped off by the world title. Unstoppable for the next three years, the statistics with Kawasaki speak for themselves: 44 wins, over 80 podiums and 12 pole positions.

Last weekend, Rea eclipsed Carl Fogarty to accumulate the most wins (60) in WorldSBK history. The championship began way back in 1988.

“I am more than happy to continue in these next two seasons with the Kawasaki Racing Team. Since the end of last season we have already started to talk about continuing our partnership, so it’s nice to finalise everything now, so that we can concentrate on the remaining races of 2018,” said Rea.

“From the moment I arrived at the end of 2014 I was welcomed into the Kawasaki family and since then we have achieved success beyond our wildest dreams. Here is where I want to stay. Of course it feels natural to keep writing this incredible story together, and I want to thank everyone in the Kawasaki Racing Team for believing in me and for this opportunity.

“Together we will work harder than ever to keep the ZX-10RR at the front of WorldSBK in the future. I have the best team of people around me to ensure that we can continue fighting for the World Championship.”

It’s still unclear whether Tom Sykes will continue as Rea’s teammate in 2019.

Rea leads the 2018 WorldSBK title by 65pts over Ducati's Chaz Davies with six rounds remaining.