Jonathan Rea reaches 100th career WSBK win

Jonathan Rea continues to break records and set new milestones in the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship and the latest, achieved at this year’s opening round, was his 100th race win – the first rider in the category’s history to reach the milestone.

Rea finished the COVID-shortened 2020 season on 99 career wins, but hit the ‘ton’ in the opening race for 2021 at Aragon, Spain, riding the new-spec ZX-10RR for the Kawasaki Racing Team.

“We reached 100 race wins and it was done with a lot of hard work,” Rea explained. “Over the off season, Kawasaki really dug in with a new bike and we were able to make a step. Also in the off season I worked really hard on myself and I know I improved in all areas.

“Taking my first race win at Misano in 2009 as a rookie and now with 100 wins… It’s mad! Each and every race win is special, and I have never been a statistics guy, but when I was closing in on 100 wins that was a big goal. It is such a cool number and a career landmark. I am very proud of it.”

The 100-win milestone was marked by the sale of 100 commemorative t-shirts, numbered and personally signed by Rea, with proceeds going to two charities, one in Rea’s native Northern Ireland and one in Catalonia, Spain, where the Kawasaki Racing Team is based.
Rea's 100th WSBK win comes in his thirteenth year in WSBK and puts the 34-year-old on track for a seventh World Championship.

Rea’s history in WSBK goes back to 2008, with a pair of wildcard starts before joining the category full-time in 2009. Riding for Ten Kate Honda initially, Rea scored his first race victories in that first full season and in six years with Honda would achieve 15 wins in total, but finished no better than third in the championship.

A move to the Kawasaki Racing Team for 2015 delivered immediate results, including four wins from the first six races and 14 victories for the season, which led Rea to his first championship.

In the five years since, it’s been much the same story. Despite challengers from team mates and rival teams, Rea has prevailed each year, eclipsing championship, race win and podium records along the way – all with Kawasaki Racing Team.