Jonathan Rea: ‘Retiring champion’s records could stand the test of time’

His final three years with Kawasaki or two most recent seasons with Yamaha will not be as fondly remembered as his pomp, but they should not detract from Rea’s achievements.

People can point to Kawasaki being the dominant bike at the time, particularly in his first four titles, but Rea didn’t just beat his competition. He obliterated it.

Racers are always judged against their team-mates, and Rea came out on top against Sykes, Alex Lowes and Leon Haslam, three very talented and capable riders.

But none could get close Northern Irishman across six seasons. In their four years together, Sykes finished 149, 51, 183 and 231 points behind Rea. Haslam was 382 behind, and Lowes was 171 off in 2020.

While the lingering questions over what Rea could have achieved in MotoGP will now always be a ‘what if?’ – despite two stand-in appearances for Honda in 2012 -his status as one of the all-time greatest motorcycle racers is not in doubt.

Joey Dunlop, who won 26 races at the fearsome and iconic Isle of Man TT, is widely considered to be Northern Ireland’s greatest motorbike racer, and possibly even his country’s greatest sportsperson.

The fact Rea even entered that conversation, never mind even ahead of Dunlop for some, is an indication of how highly he is regarded.

Dunlop is still celebrated 25 years after his death, and Rea’s remarkable achievements will also be remembered for decades to come.

The final four races of the season will be a chance to celebrate Rea and what he achieved. There is unlikely to be anyone in the World Superbikes paddock who would begrudge him a final trip to the podium, especially the top step.

Records are made to be broken, but Rea’s landmarks could well stand the test of time.