The medical team announced that Thai rider Somkiat Chantra crashed during the third practice session, missing the first race and hoping to recover for the second race of the 2026 World Superbike Championship.
"Kong" Somkiat Chantra, the sole top Thai rider in the 2026 World Superbike Championship representing the factory Honda HRC team, lost control and crashed during the third practice session. The medical team later announced their decision to withdraw him from the first race on Saturday to treat his injuries, aiming for a comeback on Sunday at the TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands.
The Thai rider, racing with bike number 35, crashed midway through the FP3 practice session at corners 5-6. A red flag was shown, and he was taken to the medical center at Assen circuit for examination. The statement said, "Somkiat has bruising on his lower back and thigh muscles with some hematoma, preventing him from competing today. He will undergo another medical check on Sunday morning before the warm-up."
Somkiat "Kong" Chantra has no bone fractures but suffers bruising causing pain. There remains hope he will return to compete on Sunday in the "Superpole Race" and Race 2, pending a medical assessment by the team on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, Thai motorsport fans have been sending their support wishing for his speedy recovery and return to the track.
The 2026 World Superbike Championship Round 3 will hold the "Superpole Race" on Sunday, 19 April at 16:10 Thailand time, followed by Race 2 at 20:30 Thailand time.