Thai rider Somkiat Chantra is recovering from injuries and is aiming to make a comeback to support the Honda HRC team in the 2026 World Superbike Championship.
The 2026 World Superbike Championship is set to start its new season from 20-22 February at Phillip Island Circuit in Australia. Prior to the actual races, official test sessions were held, most recently a two-day test at Circuito de Jerez in Spain on 21-22 January.
During this test, Somkiat Chantra, the Thai favorite rider number 35, had been injured in training at Sepang International Circuit in mid-January. He subsequently underwent surgery on both arms in Thailand, with his team hoping for a speedy and full recovery.
For this test, Honda HRC was led by key riders including Jake Dixon, number 96, a British rider making his debut season in the World Superbike Championship with the team. Also participating were six-time world champion Jonathan Rea, number 65 from Ireland, and Japanese test rider Tetsuta Nagashima, number 45.
On the first day of testing, riders faced unfavorable track conditions due to continuous rain. Dixon completed only 19 laps, finishing 9th with a lap time of 1 minute 57.109 seconds, while Nagashima placed 11th with a lap time of 1 minute 57.672 seconds.
On the second day, under mixed dry and wet track conditions, Rea, who had done a prior shakedown with the team, completed 24 laps and ranked 10th with a lap time of 1 minute 40.442 seconds. Dixon was 13th with 1 minute 40.450 seconds, and Nagashima finished 20th with a time of 1 minute 41.214 seconds.
The next test for the 2026 World Superbike Championship will take place next week at Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal.