Rea to run number one plate in 2016

2015 World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea will run the number one plate on his Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R in 2016 as he sets out to defend his title.

The Northern Irishman has been debating in recent months whether to adapt the plate, used last year by Sylvain Guintoli, or to keep his traditional 65. He has even taking to Twitter to poll his followers on the decision – with fairly inconclusive results!

So the big question for me in 2016, should I run my championship number or keep 65?

— Jonathan Rea (@jonathanrea) December 31, 2015

However, with yesterday’s release of the 2016 entry list, the decision has now been confirmed by the 29-year-old ahead of this month’s opening round of the series at Philip Island.