Rea first burst on to the world superbike stage with Honda in 2008, claiming his first two race wins the next 12 months.

He switched to Kawasaki in 2011, a transfer which resulted in him breaking each document within the championship.

In 2017, he was recognised for achievements within the sport by being awarded the MBE within the Queen’s Birthday Honours record.

He additionally completed runner-up within the 2017 BBC Sports activities Character of the Yr behind Sir Mo Farah.

“I am extremely happy with what I’ve achieved throughout my prolonged profession: six world championships, greater than 100 race wins and so many different accolades alongside the way in which,” added Rea.

“These are some data that I by no means imagined might be potential. But it surely’s not the data, trophies or race wins, it is the folks and the reminiscences that I will take with me without end.”

After a record-breaking nine-year partnership with Kawasaki, which yielded over a century of race wins, Rea surprisingly signed for Yamaha final season.

Nevertheless, his quest for a seventh world title led to disappointment because the Ballyclare rider posted only one podium end with the crew.

Rea endured a tough 2024 on the bike and this 12 months suffered a severe crash in pre-season testing which has hampered his progress.

“Jonathan is an especially proficient rider who has finished exceptional issues in his 17 years racing on the highest degree of manufacturing racing,” stated Yamaha division supervisor Andrea Dosoli.

“He needs to be very proud to look again having achieved what he has throughout his profession, as it’s unlikely any rider will come near such statistics for a very long time.”