HRC has confirmed that Somkiat Chantra will be unable to participate in the opening round of the 2026 World Superbike Championship in Australia. Chantra sustained an arm injury during training in Sepang earlier this month, which already forced him to miss the January test sessions in Jerez and Portimao. Following immediate surgery after the incident, his recovery timeline prevents him from competing at the Phillip Island event scheduled for February 20-22.
To fill the gap, HRC announced that World Superbike test rider Tetta Nagashima will replace Chantra for the Australian round. The team also confirmed that Chantra recently had his cast removed during a medical check-up in Bangkok on January 28, with positive progress noted. However, the recovery process still requires more time, prompting Nagashima to join official Honda HRC Factory Team rider Jake Dixon at the season opener.
Additionally, Ryan Vickers will compete in Australia as a wildcard entry. Nagashima had previously secured a wildcard for last year’s Australian round, but his inclusion as Chantra’s substitute freed up that wildcard spot. As a result, Chantra’s highly anticipated World Superbike debut will now be delayed until at least the Portuguese round in Portimao, taking place from March 27-29.
Fan Take:
This is a significant setback for Somkiat Chantra and his fans, as missing the season opener delays his chance to make a strong first impression in World Superbike. For racing enthusiasts, it reshuffles the competitive landscape early in the season, offering opportunities for test and wildcard riders to shine and potentially shake up the established order.
