It was announced this morning that Jonathan Rea will leave Kawasaki at the end of the World Superbike season, marking the end of a partnership that began in 2015 and was crowned with six titles. And despite moving to rival Pata Yamaha, the rider rejects the idea of a farewell.
The British rider expressed gratitude to Kawasaki, stating: ‘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’.
Despite all the achievements, Rea emphasized that he takes with him much more than just results: ‘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’.
In conclusion, #65 emphasized that he is not bidding a farewell: ‘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’.