119 wins. One GOAT.
How do you pick just one moment from a career that rewrote the history books? You might think of the dominant title clinchers or the Imola masterclasses. But Jonathan Rea? He goes back to where the legend was born.
The Year: 2009. The Place: Misano. The Vibe: Pure Rookie Energy.
Rea wasn’t on a factory juggernaut. He was the underdog on a Ten Kate Honda—a team with massive heart but zero factory backing from Japan. On Thursday morning, they threw a “Hail Mary”: they bolted on brand-new, untested gold forks. No testing. No data. Just vibes and high-speed geometry.
Then came Race 2. A three-way, bare-knuckle brawl against the Factory Ducati titans, Haga and Fabrizio. Rea didn’t just hold his own—he hunted them down.
The Result? His first-ever checkered flag.
It was not just a trophy; it was the moment Rea realized he didn’t just belong on the grid—he belonged at the top of the world.
Source
Crash.net: Jonathan Rea Reveals Key Detail Behind Misano Win – The primary source detailing the “Gold Fork” gamble and his press conference revelations.
WorldSBK Official: Farewell Jonathan Rea – Career Milestones – An official retrospective covering his 2009 maiden victory in Race 2.
Jonathan-Rea.com: Reaching the 100 Wins Landmark – Rea’s personal site reflecting on how Misano 2009 set the stage for his 119-win legacy.
Motorcycle.com: 2009 Misano Results & Race Recap – A detailed breakdown of the lap-by-lap battle against the factory Ducatis.
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