The HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Team has signed British rider Jonathan Rea for the 2008 World Supersport Championship campaign. Rea, from Ballyclare, Northern Ireland, will make his debut in the World Championship next year after signing a three-year contract with the team, from Nieuwleusen, Netherlands. Talented Rea, 20, currently lies in second place in the British Superbike Championship with two rounds to go, riding for the factory-supported HM Plant Honda Team. He has secured 10 podium finishes, including five race wins this season, and is the youngest rider in British Superbike history to secure a pole position, podium and race win. Ten Kate Honda has won the last six World Supersport Championship titles and the team believes the addition of Rea will assist both the rider’s and the team’s development during 2008 and beyond. Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager: “We are delighted to have secured Jonathan’s services for the 2008 World Supersport campaign with HANNspree and Honda. We have been contesting the championship for 10 years now and we are always on the lookout for fresh new talent. Jonathan has everything we want in a rider – he is young, highly motivated and has the ability to go far in the sport. He is already familiar with Honda and I know that he is eager to race on the CBR600RR. I am sure he will make the transition to the world stage very well and we are looking forward to bringing out the best in him over the next three years. A special thanks must go to his current HM Plant Honda team and to Honda UK, not only for producing such a talented riders but also for their co-operation in helping him make the transition to the world stage.” Jonathan Rea: “I am really excited to be moving into the World Supersport Championship with HANNspree Ten Kate Honda. It’s very important for me to be learning the world circuits now and I’m sure it will be a great experience that I can use in the years to come. I am saddened to be leaving my old team in British Superbike, they have worked incredibly hard over the past four years and they have been an awesome team. However, I have to look forward and I cannot wait to get to work with HANNspree Ten Kate Honda. It’s an ideal situation for me to be progressing with Honda – in fact it was my number one priority. I hope this is the start of a long and successful relationship.”