Jonathan Rea pens two-year extension with Kawasaki

Jonathan Rea will remain with Kawasaki Racing for two more years in the Superbike World Championship, it has been announced today.

The reigning world champion has penned an extension to his deal with the Japanese factory that will see him front their effort in the series for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Since joining Kawasaki at the start of last season, Rea has won an incredible 19 races and is currently 35 points clear in the 2016 title chase as he looks to become the first rider to secure back-to-back World Superbike titles since Carl Fogarty in 1999.

“I am so happy to extend this partnership with the Kawasaki Racing Team and continue the great relationship I have with all the Kawasaki engineers and fans,” Rea said. “It is clear that our objectives and way of working are very well matched so it makes perfect sense to extend this for two more seasons. With all the incredible memories we have made so far and are now creating, I am 100% confident that we will enjoy working together and develop the Ninja ZX-10R into the future. I would like to thank Kawasaki and all the KRT staff for their full support and belief in my potential. With this in mind I am now even more focused than ever to win the World SBK Championship in 2016 to make it back to back wins.”

It’s not yet known who will partner the Ulsterman in the Spanish-run squad next season, with rumours suggesting Tom Sykes could be on his way out. The Yorkshireman is thought to have been unhappy with how some things have worked in the team this year, once referring to the effort as ‘Team 65’.