New Honda HRC World Superbike rider Jake Dixon has described Jonathan Rea’s move to the team as a “great signing” for the factory squad.

Six-time world champion Rea joined Honda as a test rider for 2026 after retiring from full-time racing at the end of last season.

Rea completed his first laps on the Fireblade machine at the official test at Jerez in Spain and was the fastest Honda rider on the concluding day on Thursday, placing 10th overall on the time sheets with a lap in 1m 40.442s.

Moto2 Grand Prix race winner Dixon was 13th fastest, lapping in 1m 40.450s, while Rea’s fellow HRC test rider Tetsuta Nagashima was 18th (1m 41.214s).

placeholder image — Honda HRC test rider Jonathan Rea was the fastest Honda rider at this week's official World Superbike test at Jerez in Spain. (Photo courtesy Honda Racing)

Thai rider Somkiat Chantra, signed for 2026 in an all-new Honda line-up alongside Dixon, missed the test through injury after fracturing his right arm in a training crash at Sepang in Malaysia.

Dixon is preparing for his rookie season in World Superbikes and says having Rea in the team will only help ease his transition.

“First and foremost, what a great signing for Honda! I think it’s a feather in their cap to get such a great champion onboard, with so much experience,” said the British rider. “I know him well anyway.

“To have him in my corner, and Nagashima as well, is fantastic. It’s almost ammo for us.

“It’s not going to transform overnight, but throughout the season, we are definitely going to get stronger, and honestly, I’m so motivated and excited.

“He brings so much life to everyone in the team as well and the test team are great.”

The two-day test at Jerez was hit by wet weather, with dry conditions only prevalent for a few hours on the second afternoon.

Last year’s title runner-up Nicola Bulega led the way on the Aruba.it Ducati in 1m 39.331s from Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) who was 0.119s behind, with former Honda HRC rider Xavi Vierge third quickest with team Pata Maxus Yamaha, 0.439s down on Bulega.

Sam Lowes slotted into fourth on the Marc VDS Racing Ducati, four hundredths of a seconds adrift of Vierge.

Reigning champion Toprak Razgatlioglu has made the move to the MotoGP paddock for 2026 with Pramac Yamaha, opening the door for a new champion to be crowned this year.

Testing continues next week at Portimao in Portugal, with the first round at Phillip Island in Australia taking place from February 20-22.