Somkiat Chantra, a Thai motorcycle racer, is ready to compete in the “2026 World Superbike Championship” Round 2 from 27-29 March at Portimão.
The 2026 World Superbike Championship’s second round is scheduled from 27-29 March at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal, following a break of over four weeks after the first round.
Somkiat Chantra, racing with bike number 35, has recovered and made his comeback to the Honda HRC team to compete in the World Superbike Championship for the first time this season. He will team up with Jonathan Rea, six-time world champion from Ireland, who returns to replace injured British rider Jake Dixon.
Previously, Somkiat Chantra suffered injuries to both arms during training at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia in mid-January. He underwent surgery and intensive physical therapy before returning to test the race bike with the team at Portimão two weeks ago. He then continued training in Thailand and has now arrived at the race venue in Portugal.
Somkiat Chantra recently said, “I feel ready to race again at Portimão. I have been riding continuously over the past 2-3 weeks, including practice at my home circuit in Chonburi and a one-day test on the actual race bike at Portimão two weeks ago.”
“Of course, I still need to pass a fitness check, but I hope everything will go well. We'll see how I feel throughout the race weekend. This will be very new for me—even though I’ve raced and know this track from previous years, I admit it’s not my favorite circuit. This will be my first time competing on a superbike, and I will give my all, riding at 100% all the time.”
The 2026 World Superbike Championship Round 2 schedule starts with practice sessions on Friday, 27 March, followed by the Superpole qualifying on Saturday, 28 March. The first race will take place at 21:30 Thailand time the same day. On Sunday, 29 March, the Superpole race begins at 17:10, concluding with Race 2 at 21:30 Thailand time.