Former Grand Prix competitor Jake Dixon has praised six-time Superbike World Champion Jonathan Rea for revitalizing Honda’s racing program since his return to the team. After retiring from full-time racing last year, Rea joined Honda as their official test rider.
Rea previously raced for Honda in World Superbike from 2009 to 2014, achieving a third-place overall finish in 2014 before moving to Kawasaki, where he dominated the championships for years. Recently, Rea joined Dixon during testing at Jerez, where Dixon finished 13th as he transitions from Moto2 to World Superbike.
Speaking to the official WorldSBK website, Dixon expressed, “First and foremost, it was a huge boost for Honda.” He added, “Having a champion with so much experience on the team is fantastic. I know him well, and it’s great to have his and also Nagashima’s support. For us, it’s like extra ammunition. Progress won’t be instant, but over the season we will definitely strengthen. I’m genuinely motivated and excited.” Dixon also highlighted Rea’s positive influence, saying, “He brings a lot of energy to the entire team, and the test team vibe is excellent.”
Rea, who underwent knee surgery during the winter, revealed that his doctors would be upset knowing he was testing at Jerez, since he still faces a lengthy recovery process. Meanwhile, poor weather at Jerez limited rookie Dixon’s track time before his first full World Superbike season. “It wasn’t ideal. I only managed 16 laps in the rain on Wednesday,” he said. “Riding in wet conditions was a new experience, but I felt comfortable. Thursday was also cut short by rain after just a few hours. It’s frustrating as a rookie, but we need to be patient. We have new parts this year and more testing ahead.”
Despite the challenges, Dixon noted improvements: “Thanks to the chassis upgrades, we feel much more confident compared to November.”
Fan Take: Jonathan Rea’s return to Honda as a test rider is a huge win for the brand and could signal a resurgence in their competitiveness. For racing fans, seeing such a legendary figure continue to influence the sport behind the scenes promises exciting developments for future World Superbike seasons.
