Gino Rea excited for ‘first factory ride of my career’ with Honda in EWC

Gino Rea leaves BSB after receiving the first factory ride of his career with TSR Honda in the Endurance World Championship.

The former Buildbase Suzuki rider scored his maiden wins in British Superbike during last season’s showdown at Donington Park, and although there were discussions to remain in BSB, Rea says the offer to join Honda is one he ‘couldn’t turn down’. 

“It has been difficult but the decision wasn’t that hard because of the offer from Honda to join TSR,” added Rea. 

“BSB started to go really well towards the second half of the season, I got my first wins and that put me on the radar for next year and there were discussions about staying in BSB but when Mr Fuji-san of Honda approached me, I couldn’t turn it down, it’s the first factory ride of my career.”

Rea, who is a former Moto2 and WorldSSP rider, will team-up with Australian Josh Hook and France’s Mike Di Meglio. 

Discussing the switch to Endurance racing further, Rea continued: “To ride in the Endurance World Championship, it’s a great championship, growing every year and a lot of factories are fighting to be the best there. Now Honda want to win again, so I feel excited and honoured to be part of their project. 

“In one way it is difficult to leave BSB when I was having such a good time and I was starting to hit my stride but on the other hand, I have always been interested in EWC and there is no better time than to take a ride with Honda.”

Along with Rea, the EWC series has also managed to bring across the likes of 2021 WorldSSP runner-up Steven Odendaal and 2019 series champion Randy Krummenacher - highlighting the growth of the championship in recent seasons.