Jonathan Rea: Six-time World Superbike champion says crashes contributed to retirement decision

“Instinct” was a factor in Jonathan Rea’s incredible six-year reign as World Superbike champion and it is the same attribute which prompted his decision to retire at the end of this season.

The 38-year-old Northern Irishman broke every record available during a 17-year career with six world titles between 2015 and 2020, 119 wins, 264 podiums and 44 pole positions, but he accepts “the last two years has been really tough from a performance point of view” as it became clear a return to the top is beyond him.

Having sustained a broken foot during testing at Phillip Island in February, the Ballyclare man missed the first three rounds of this year’s championship before returning in Italy for round four.

However, he again came off the bike in the following round at Most in the Czech Republic and it was that moment he knew it was one setback too many.

“On the gravel I did a little shoulder check to see if I was clear, but the bike was coming at me,” he told BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson.

“On all fours, I was crawling out of the way as fast as possible. That was a moment that damaged any future prospects of me wanting to continue.

“It’s a feeling I’ve been living with for some time without wanting to share and give any weakness away, but it’s mentally tough to recover from those tough moments and it just seems now is the right time. Tough to know exactly the reason why, but instinct.”