Motorcycling: Jonathan Rea confirms retirement

World Superbike hero Jonathan Rea has confirmed his retirement from the sport.

In a video posted on social media, the Antrim rider says he's stepping away from the bike after winning six World Superbike Championships as he doesn't feel in a position to win races at present.

Rea is the most successful rider in the history of the sport, with those six World titles coming alongside 119 wins and 264 podiums over a career that spanned more than 16 years.

Having won his world titles while riding the Kawasaki machine from 2011, Rea made the switch to Yamaha in 2024, but endured a tough time, mainly due to injury.

The 38-year-old will officially step away from racing at the end of the current season, with his last outing expected to come in the final round of this year's World Superbike Championship in Spain in October.

Rea was awarded an MBE in the 2017 Queen's birthday honours list for his services to the sport and retires as one of the greatest sporting stars ever to come out of Northern Ireland.