NI’s Jonathan Rea staying humble over ‘hero’ status

Jonathan Rea may have just won an unprecedented fourth WSBK title in a row, but he insists he is still just “a normal guy out riding a motorbike”.

And the Co Antrim man isn’t even thinking of his place among the many sporting greats produced by Northern Ireland over the years.

He will just be happy to perhaps inspire others to follow in his footsteps, and to continue to serve as an ambassador for his home on the global stage.

On being hailed as the hero of many a young fan for his tremendous success on the superbike circuits, Rea told UTV: “I’ll never get tired of hearing that, and it’s really nice to know.

“Maybe they might be the next me one day.”

Racing may be in the blood, with Rea’s father and grandfather both household names on the Irish racing scene, but the four-time world champion has surely cemented his place among the greats.

“I get a little bit awkward sometimes when I think about that, because I don’t look at myself in that way at all,” he said.

“It’s strange, but it’s really nice people think of me in that way. But, for me, I just feel like a normal guy out riding a motorbike.”

The 31-year-old’s four titles put him level with his own hero Carl Fogarty, but he is the first person to ever claim them in back-to-back seasons.

Rea has also already broken Foggy’s record number of individual race wins.

But his family definitely help keep him grounded.

“It’s sometimes funny coming back to the motorhome after a session and I’ve just done a personal best lap time and (son) Tyler’s zero interest – he’s sat playing with his Lego,” Rea said.

“There’s something really nice about that.

“They certainly make it worthwhile, but also keep it very real as well.”