Gino Rea

Career

Rea was born in Tooting, London.

European Superstock

Rea was a successful Motocross and Supermoto rider before switching to circuit racing in 2007. He began racing in the European Superstock 600 series in 2007, finishing 12th overall with a podium at Valencia. In 2008 he finished 3rd overall, taking a win at Portimão plus four further podiums and two poles. Rea won the Championship in his third year claiming a win and 6 podiums in total, clinching the title by a single point in the final round at Portimão. He contested 32 races in the class, with 31 finishes including 12 podiums.

Supersport World Championship

Rea tested Cal Crutchlow's 2009 title-winning Yamaha YZF-R6 in October 2009, before the team opted to withdraw, and ultimately joined the Intermoto team. He started 2010 with a solid run of top ten finishes. He finished fourth at Brno before taking his first podium at Silverstone. He finished a very close second to Eugene Laverty in the next round at the Nürburgring, but was excluded for a technical irregularity.

Rea stayed in the World Supersport Championship for 2011 and although he suffered many retirements due to mechanical issues and crashes, Rea took his first World Championship Win at Brno in front of ex-World Champion Fabien Foret and 2011 World Champion Chaz Davies. Rea landed on the podium at his home race in Donington Park and went into the final race of the year in 5th position in the Championship standings. A mechanical failure there ended Gino's season on a low and it meant being bumped down to 11th in the final standings.

Moto2 World Championship

Rea went on to test for the Gresini Moto2 team at Valencia and Jerez, leaving Valencia as the quickest rider earning him the Gresini Moto2 ride for 2012. An up and down year meant Rea could not progress the way he wanted to but managed to get on the podium at Sepang, Malaysia. Rea crossed the line in the lead but as the red flag came out, the results were put back 2 laps, robbing Rea of the win but still a 2nd position. At the final race of the year, Gino battled for a podium spot with the Moto2 World Champion Marc Marquez but fell at turn 2. Rea rejoined for an 11th position, finishing 21st in the Final Points standings.

For 2013, Rea agreed to ride with the newly formed ESGP team in Moto2 but the team pulled out at the last minute (5 February), leaving him without a ride. But this major setback was not enough to stop Rea. He would stay in the race, even if he had to go it alone. With backing from UK bike manufacturer FTR and support from his loyal fans, Rea set about running his own team. Rea set up a Donation & Sponsorship page where the public could help keep him on track. Rea asked his followers to help him race by donating to his race fund but instead of just taking money, he decided to give back to his supporters. Rea created different packages, from signed photos, signed T-shirts to hospitality packages. With contributions from all of his supporters, Rea was able to compete at selected wildcard rounds of the Moto2 Championship during 2013.

Running his own team on a shoe-string budget was certainly challenging. Rea acted as his own crew chief, downloading and analysing the data, making the fuel maps and making tyre choices. Impressing in these selected rounds led to a team partnership with Montaze Broz, forming Gino Rea Montaze Broz Racing Team. They would compete in the remaining European rounds but would miss the three flyaway races in Malaysia, Australia and Japan due to budget constraints.

On 25 November 2013, Rea reached an agreement with Dave Peterson and Martin R. de Rooy to form World Motors Rea Racing to compete in the 2014 Moto2 World Championship on a full-season basis as a permanent team. With title sponsorship from AGT (American Green Technology), the team will be known as AGT REA Racing.

Career statistics

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Races by year

 * Season still in progress.

Races by year

(key)