Jonathan Rea in World Superbike return at Aragon after injury setback
Jonathan Rea will make his return from injury in the World Superbike Championship at Aragon in Spain this weekend.
The Pata Prometeon Yamaha rider was forced to withdraw from the remainder of the weekend at Magny-Cours in France on September 7 after sustaining a deep wound to his right thumb following a crash in the first race.
Six-time world champion Rea underwent surgery to repair tendon damage and prepare a skin graft to the injury and has been recovering at home in Northern Ireland, where he has completed hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions and physiotherapy to assist the healing process.
Rea will be reviewed by the WSBK Medical Director on Thursday but is confident he will be able to compete this weekend at round 10 of the championship.
“It’s been a tough couple of weeks at home working on my recovery, and I’ve done everything possible to be in a position to return to my R1 and the team at the earliest possible time,” said Rea.
“I’m not 100% recovered but I feel ready to come back, even if I’m still working with my physio to improve the mobility of my thumb.
“The injury to the tendon was the biggest issue, which was repaired by my surgeon in France, and the top of the thumb is healing quite well after the skin graft.
“It’s step-by-step, it was always my target to be back for Aragon, but I’m disappointed to have missed Cremona because it was the first race I’ve missed through injury since 2013.
“Huge thanks to Pata Prometeon Yamaha, the team and crew, all the team’s partners and my personal sponsors for standing by us in this tough period.”
The 37-year-old has vowed to ‘give it everything’ at a circuit where he has won nine times and clinched a record 26 podiums.
“Whatever my fitness level, I’m looking forward to Aragon – it’s a track that I enjoy and I’ve had success at in the past,” Rea said.
"It’s been resurfaced, so we will have to understand the tyre performance and consumption, and work towards the best set-up for the race. Yamaha has also launched the 2025 model R1 which has some updates – so on Friday morning, I will get to try the new aero package and most of all, I’m looking forward to getting back to my racing family.
"Even being away for one race is really tough, and as much as I was happy for Nico [Canepa] to replace me, not being there is difficult.
"We’re all working to come back stronger, and we’ll give it everything we can.”