Six‑time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea capped a comeback by winning the 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours, then thanked Honda for proving he still has the pace. The veteran rider said the bike let him feel the thrill of overtaking on the straight again, a sensation he feared he’d lost after a two‑year winless spell.
After nine seasons with Kawasaki and a recent stint at Yamaha, Rea joined Honda as a test rider for 2026. The Suzuka endurance race marked his first appearance there since 2019, and he paired with Japanese rider Takumi Takahashi while teammate Somkiat Chantra missed a stint. Together they claimed pole position, set the fastest lap and held off the competition in fully wet conditions.
The victory gave Honda its 32nd Suzuka win and Takahashi his eighth. Takahashi praised the flawless pit work and the bike’s consistency, calling the effort a team triumph. Rea’s success should restore confidence for the remainder of his 2026 campaign and highlights Honda’s strength in endurance racing.
