Jonathan Rea: WSB champion takes Irish Motorcyclist of the Year award for record sixth time in a row

Rea will ride an updated version of his Kawasaki in the 2021 WSB series

Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea has been named Irish Motorcyclist of the Year for a record breaking sixth time in a row.

Rea has now won Irish motorcycling's top awards honour eight times in total to equal the achievement of road racing legend Joey Dunlop.

The late Ballymoney rider was an eight-time winner between 1979 and 2000.

The 33-year-old received the Joey Dunlop Trophy during a virtual online awards ceremony.

The annual gala evening in Belfast was unable to be staged because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

There was little doubt that the Kawasaki rider would land the main prize after winning his sixth successive World Superbike title in 2020.

'An incredible feeling'

"This is an incredible feeling," said Rea. "I am gutted I can't receive this trophy on the night because it's such an amazing occasion every January when all the motorcycling industry come together under one roof.

"I receive so much support from the fans there and I will miss seeing them all. This is an unreal trophy which will once again take pride of place as the centrepiece in my home.

"To equal the record set by Joey Dunlop is also simply incredible. He was my hero growing up and to think I have won this award the same number of times as him is hard to believe."

Rea clinched a record breaking sixth world title in a row in mid-October during a season affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

New Kawasaki has 'exciting potential'

"2020 was a year like no other and the World Superbike organisers did so well to run the championship safely," added Rea.

"It was a tough year for me starting the season with a crash but we hit the ground running in the middle of the season and I was able to bring the world title back to Northern Ireland again.

"I assure everyone I am planning a big assault on this new season. Kawasaki have a new bike, and I am excited about that as the potential is more than the previous model. But I am under no illusions how tough it will be with new challenges whether it be a bike or a rider or both.

"We start the season later this year at Assen instead of Australia, because of coronavirus. Assen is a track I love and I hope we can start the season on a real high in April."

Six other awards were presented during the virtual ceremony hosted by BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson and Keith Huewen.

Glenn Irwin was fourth in the British Superbike series in his first year on the new Honda Fireblade

Irwin scoops Short Circuit award

Glenn Irwin was named Short Circuit Rider of the Year and Rhys Irwin, the Young Rider of the Year for their performances in the British Championship.

Jordan Scott picked up the Off-Road award after an excellent year in the British Extreme Enduro while the Cookstown 100 Club won the Road Race award for the safe running of their event. The County Tyrone event was the only road race staged in Ireland during 2020.

The Voluntary Bikers Group were the recipients of the Services to Sport award thanks to their amazing efforts to support the local community last year. Over 200 bikers delivered food parcels, medication and Personal Protection Equipment to people in need during the pandemic.

Two of Ireland's most decorated riders were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Ralph Bryans, who won the 50cc Grand Prix World title in 1965, and Stanley Woods, who won a remarkable 29 Grand Prixs in the 1920s and 1930s. He was also a 10-time winner at the Isle of Man TT.

The Irish motorcycling awards are sponsored by Adelaide Motorbike Insurance, administered by Cornmarket.