James Toseland pays tribute to 'unbelievable' Jonathan Rea after retirement - 'They’ll only remember the brilliance'
Published 19/10/2025 at 17:05 GMT+1
One of the sport's all-time greats called time on his career in Jerez, but not in the way in which he would have liked. A crash in the Superpole Race brought the 38-year-old's career to a premature end, taking some of the shine off his farewell. However, James Toseland believes this should in no way detract from the six-time world champion's immense achievements.
'They'll only remember the brilliance' - Rea tributes as six-time world champion bows out
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jonathan Rea's WorldSBK career may not have had the fairytale ending he would have wanted, but TNT Sports pundits James Toseland and Shane Byrne paid tribute to a man who's had a lasting impact on the sport.
Rea was deemed unfit to take part in the final race of the weekend after colliding with Remy Gardner at turn three of the Superpole Race.
Gardner was cleared to take part in Race 2, but Rea's knee injury omitted him from what would have been the final race of the 38-year-old's career.
Race 2 was won by Nicolo Bulega, after finishing 1.7 seconds ahead of Alvaro Bautista. Toprak Razgatlioglu came third, but this was enough to claim a third world title.
As for Rea, a right knee sprain and contusion would mark the unfortunate end of his WorldSBK career, but Toseland was keen to amplify the achievements of the six-time champion.
"I was just on the end of this queue of people waiting to congratulate him on an unbelievable career," said Toseland on TNT Sports.
"He deserved this, didn't he? It's not the way Jonathan would've wanted to end, but people will forget this in a few years’ time.
"They will only remember the brilliance of Jonathan Rea, and the unstoppable period that he had. To win six titles on the bounce, it's going to be years, if not decades before that's matched."
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Bryne believes those achievements will never be replicated and would not be surprised if Rea is tempted to continue riding competitively for a while longer.
"Do you know what? I don't think it'll ever happen," Byrne added. "I'm going to put it out there, it's never going to happen.
"I think he's relatively at peace with it [the decision to retire], but I don't know if that's the end for Jonathan Rea so far."
Rea was also keen to reflect on the positives himself, after a career which has reached unparalleled highs within the sport.
"It's tough in one way because it's not how you imagined you finish," Rea told the BBC.
"But every story must come to an end, and you don't get to decide how that ends.
"There's a mix of emotions but overall there's relief that it is done. The sport has given me so much but taken away a lot as well, so I'm happy to walk slowly out of it."
"This is a small chapter in a big book that we've written," Rea added.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
He also drew comparisons with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, and hopes to be appreciated for all of his achievements in the past.
"The great Valentino Rossi, I can't remember how his last season went, never mind his last race. I hope I will be remembered like that," Rea continued.
"I went down fighting and I hope that still gives inspiration to people. I'm 100% sure that I will be able to have no regrets and I finish my career content with what I have done."
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