Ready to race, Somkiat Chantra has passed the fitness test to compete in the 2026 World Superbike Championship Round 4 in Hungary.
"Kong" Somkiat Chantra, the top Thai rider from the Honda HRC factory team, has passed his fitness assessment.
He received medical clearance to return to competition at the 2026 World Superbike Championship Round 4 at Balaton Park Circuit, Hungary, from 1-3 May. He will team up with Japanese rider Yuki Kunii, who will replace Jake Dixon for this event.
Beloved Thai rider "Kong" Somkiat Chantra, bearing race number 35, was unfortunately injured during practice at the previous round at TT Circuit Assen, resulting in a thigh injury that forced him to withdraw from the race in the Netherlands. He has since rested and regained his fitness.
On Thursday, 30 April, Somkiat Chantra underwent a medical examination with the World Superbike Championship medical team and was cleared to compete this weekend at Balaton Park Circuit. He will partner with Japanese rider Yuki, who will replace Jake for this weekend's races.
Before entering Round 4, "Kong" Somkiat Chantra said, "I am very happy to have passed the fitness test and to have arrived here at Balaton. This is my first time at this circuit because last year I was injured and could not race here. My physical condition is much better than at the last round in Assen, and tomorrow I will see how I feel with the bike. Of course, I will give my best this weekend."
"First, I need to learn the characteristics of the track and understand everything because this is all new to me. I will try to improve step by step throughout the weekend. I wish Jake a speedy recovery and welcome Yuki Kunii to our pit crew."
"I have known him for a long time, since early in our careers, and we have been teammates many times, including at Honda Team Asia. It's great to work together again because he already has a lot of experience, and we will do our best to help the team improve the bike," the Thai rider concluded.
The 2026 World Superbike Championship Round 4 will start practice sessions on Friday, 1 May, followed by the Superpole qualifying on Saturday, 2 May to determine starting positions. The first race will take place the same day at 20:30 Thailand time. The Superpole race will be held on Sunday, 3 May at 16:10, with Race 2 closing the event at 20:30.