Crash contributed to retirement decision - Rea

Rea felt his crash in the Czech Republic this season was the moment he knew his career was coming to a close

"Instinct" was a factor in Jonathan Rea's incredible six-year reign as World Superbike champion and it is the same attribute which prompted his decision to retire at the end of this season.

The 38-year-old Northern Irishman broke every record available during a 17-year career with six world titles between 2015 and 2020, 119 wins, 264 podiums and 44 pole positions, but he accepts "the last two years has been really tough from a performance point of view" as it became clear a return to the top is beyond him.

Having sustained a broken foot during testing at Phillip Island in February, the Ballyclare man missed the first three rounds of this year's championship before returning in Italy for round four.

However, he again came off the bike in the following round at Most in the Czech Republic and it was that moment he knew it was one setback too many.

"On the gravel I did a little shoulder check to see if I was clear, but the bike was coming at me," he told BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson.

"On all fours, I was crawling out of the way as fast as possible. That was a moment that damaged any future prospects of me wanting to continue.

"It's a feeling I've been living with for some time without wanting to share and give any weakness away, but it's mentally tough to recover from those tough moments and it just seems now is the right time. Tough to know exactly the reason why, but instinct."

Rea 'humbled by messages of support'

Monday's announcement sparked an outpouring of appreciation and well wishes for the future as rivals, fans and those outside of motorsport offered their congratulations for a remarkable career.

Rea said he is "humbled" by the countless messages he has received but enjoyed a special moment with his family as they reflected on his journey from young hopeful to multi world champion.

"My dad came through the door, gave me a big hug and told me he was so happy and glad I made the decision. We both shed a tear, 'Tarsh' (wife Tatiana) was in tears," he said.

"My dad was an incredible motorcycle racer and the family has a great motorcycle heritage. My mum, brothers and sisters - everyone jumped on to that little dream we had.

"I feel fulfilled in my career. I started off racing around motocross tracks with a dream of becoming a world champion. Very early in my career I had the opportunity to ride for good teams and be associated with good people.

"I made the best of these opportunities and put myself in a place where we could race for world championships and fight for race wins, so looking back at myself in my position when I was six, seven eight years old to imagine the success I had was unbelievable - I'm satisfied."

'One last podium place would be fitting'

Rea's abiding memories will be winning surrounded by his family including sons Jake and Tyler

Closing the door on his career will be difficult when he signs off after the final round of this year's championship in Spain in October, but Rea predicts it will only begin to fully hit home ahead of next year's season.

However, he insists he has "no regrets" about his career and although there have been some magical moments on the track including his first championship at Misano in 2009 ands of course, the first of those world title in 2015, sharing those with his family have been the highlight.

He doesn't believe he will be too far away from the sport as he seeks to identify just what is next, but the immediate focus is finishing off on a high and perhaps reaching the podium one last time.

"It's been a tough year starting it on the operating table, but let's aim for the stars and see what happens. It would be a fitting way to finish my career as a world Superbike rider.

"I can walk away knowing I gave 100%, every lap and every race. I'll continue doing that until the last round of the championship which I know will be tough for a number of reasons, but I'll roll my sleeves up and get stuck in.

"I did this career in the midst of building a family and we brought the kids along on that journey.

"We had an incredible year in '14 with Honda and moved to Kawasaki in '15 and won world championships when dragging two kids around the world was incredibly special."