Jonathan Rea wants to 'do it all again' in 2018
Despite making history as the only rider ever to win three World Superbike titles in a row, it is next season that Ulster rider Jonathan Rea is focusing on.
The Ballyclare man secured his place in the racing history books at the weekend after winning the first race at Magny-Cours.
Speaking at the Culloden Hotel on Monday, Rea confessed his remarkable achievement has not yet sunk in and says he wants to repeat his performance in 2018’s racing season.
“It’s surreal because the first title is something you work towards all your life and when you achieve it, it’s a massive relief, the second one was great.
“This one, it’s so fresh that I don’t have a lot of feelings right now it’s very new.
“Always a nice moment is when I go to the FIM awards and I’m in a room with all the other champions from other disciplines that’s when it kind of, it really hits home that you’ve achieved something great.
“Honestly…it’s hard to think past exactly what’s happening right now, I’m just thinking towards the next two races to finish the year and then turn my attentions towards 2018 and try and repeat it all again,” he said.
The County Antrim man, who now lives with his family in the Isle of Man when he is not on the road, has a contract with his current team until the end of 2018.
Rea said he has not thought too far beyond that and is waiting to see what his next step will be.
“I’m in the Kawasaki racing team for another season and then after that we’ll understand exactly what the future holds,” said Rea.
After his sporting success at the weekend, he was welcomed home by a strong crowd of friends, family and fans alike at Belfast city airport.
Rea paid tribute to his loyal fans.
“I have so much travelling support at all the races now, you know coming home…to Belfast and seeing all the people in the airport was incredible.
“There was more people there that I didn’t know or hadn’t met before than I did.
“So it means motorcycling’s got a huge following in Northern Ireland but also they’re huge fans of what I’m doing so that means a lot.”
The 30-year-old also had an official homecoming ceremony in his home town of Ballyclare.
The town’s mayor, Paul Hamill presented Rea with a plaque at Sixmile Leisure Centre while his family and fans looked on.
He had this advice for young racing hopefuls, aspiring to emulate his career:
“It’s hard to give young riders advice.
“The cliché one is... never give up and this sport is so expensive and it’s hard to make your way, sometimes the most logical route to the top is not possible because of finances so I would always tell young riders always appreciate any support you get, even if it’s just someone buying you a helmet,” Rea said.
At 30 years old, Rea is under no illusions about the short career of a rider.
Although he has no plans to hang up his helmet any time soon, returning to Northern Ireland could be on the cards.
The three-time World Superbike champion revealed plans for a new £29 million racetrack in Coalisland, could draw him back home to retire.
Work on the Lake Torrent circuit is set to begin in 2019 and could potentially host competitions like the British World Superbike Championship.
“It’s going to be really nice to have an international level circuit in Northern Ireland.
“I’ve seen the planning for it and it all looks very, very exciting so it would be a nice little touch and maybe something I can get involved with in the future with riding schools or racing schools.
“I know I’m not going to be racing forever so it’s exciting times for the sport in general in Northern Ireland,” said Rea.
The family man opened up to Downtown Cool FM about his favourite things and paid a romantic tribute to his Australian wife Tatia who accompanies Rea with their two sons Jake and Tyler on the road.
He even let us in on some very personal confessions, including his love of S Club 7’s Rachel Stevens as a teenager.