World Champion Jonathan Rea Launches 2017 Cornmarket Motorbike Awards

Motorbike Awards

World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea will be one of the star guests at next year’s Cornmarket Motorbike Awards. The Kawasaki rider will undoubtedly be the favourite to retain the event’s most coveted prize, the Irish Motorcyclist of the Year, when the winners are revealed on January 27th in Belfast’s Ramada Plaza Hotel.

Rea made a flying pit stop to Northern Ireland this week, en route to Qatar for the final round of this season’s World Superbike Championship, to help launch the biggest night in Irish motorcycling. The 29 year old from Ballyclare is set to seal a second successive world crown in the Middle East this weekend.

Once again the organisers of the Cornmarket Awards have teamed up with the Enkalon Motorcycle Club, which means the overall champion will be presented with the iconic Joey Dunlop trophy in the shape of the legend’s iconic yellow Arai helmet.

Rea, who needs just 2 points to become the first rider since Carl Fogarty in 1999 to win two World Superbike Championships in a row said: “ I am excited to be going Qatar to complete what has been another memorable season, but I also cant wait to be able to fly home from Spain in the New Year to celebrate my successes with everyone”

“To have riders from every discipline gather underneath one roof makes it a unique occasion. It’s amazing to see the famous names on the main trophy and I hope mine can be added once again on the roll of honour.” he continued.

“My family has close links with the Dunlop name since my grandfather used to sponsor the great Joey Dunlop in the early days. Another World Championship title would just leave me with three more to go to reach Joey’s amazing five wins in the 1980’s. “To have my achievements compared to Joey’s is truly amazing”

Cornmarket Awards

Cornmarket Insurance Services is proud to be the title sponsor. Sam Geddis, Managing Director said: “As the chequered flag comes down on another fantastic motorcycle season during which riders have yet again excelled on the world and local scenes, we are thrilled to be supporting the awards.”

“Cornmarket continues to provide what we believe is a unrivalled service with the emphasis on customer care. This service and attention to detail helped get us voted into first place by auto Express readers in the Driver Power survey, beating all the other well-known British brands.”

The Cornmarket Irish Motorcyclist of the Year, in association with Enkalon, is the longest standing motorcycle accolade and voted for by the public. Club Chairman David Weir is delighted to join forces once again with event organisers.

He said: “The Enkalon Trophy was first presented back in 1978 to Tom Herron, and since then there has been an illustrious roll of honour with winners like World Champions Joey Dunlop and Brian Reid, as well as Phillip McCallen, Jeremy McWilliams and Robert Dunlop to name but a few. We are thrilled our awards will be showcased at this very prestigious event.”

In all more than a dozen awards, decided by a public vote and expert panel of judges chaired by former British Champion Adrian Coates, will be presented. The black tie event will welcome some of the biggest names in the sport and details of how to vote will be announced in November.

Anyone wishing to purchase tickets can email tickets@bikeawards.co.uk or phone 07584058810. All details are also on our Twitter @BikeAwards.

Stephen Davison – PR Officer