Following the departures of Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge, the Honda HRC team had chosen to field Jake dixon et Somkiat Chantra in the Superbike World Championship World SBK in 2026, but as he is still recovering, it is still Tetsuta nagashima which will continue testing the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP during the final test in Australia which starts tonight.
Following the unveiling of the new CBR1000RR-R livery a week ago, Attention is now focused on the people behind the project, with the Honda HRC team preparing for the opening round of the Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island.
The new season marks the beginning of an important chapter for Honda HRC in WorldSBK, with a completely renewed rider lineup, consisting of the two rookies Jake dixon et Somkiat Chantra.
Jake dixon will make his WorldSBK debut with the Honda HRC team next weekend, and despite difficult weather conditions that disrupted part of the winter testing, the British rider has made steady progress and continues to gain confidence on the CBR1000RR-R under the guidance of his chief mechanic, Tom Jojic.
At the same time, Somkiat Chantra He continues his recovery after a training injury to his right arm and will be unable to participate in the Australian round. The Thai rider underwent surgery and began his rehabilitation, while remaining in contact with his team and chief mechanic. Tetsuya SasakiThe test pilot Tetsuta nagashima, who replaced him during the last two wet test sessions in the Iberian Peninsula, will also be in his place on the Phillip Island track.
The 2026 season also marks a new stage for the team, with the appointment of Yuji Mori in the role of Team Manager. With strong technical experience within the Honda HRC WorldSBK structure, the Japanese manager ensures the continuity of the project and brings solid international experience in competition, notably in MotoGP and the Suzuka 8 Hours with the official Honda HRC team.
Jake Dixon : “It’s an incredible feeling to be a Honda HRC factory rider and to represent Honda in WorldSBK. Being part of this project is a lifelong dream, and I’m really looking forward to starting this new chapter. When you join a factory project like this, you know there will always be new things to try and learn, and you also have to be smart and manage your time effectively. Having such a skilled and experienced team around me makes all the difference. My first meeting with the team was a little intimidating, I admit, simply because of the scale of the project, but everyone has been extremely welcoming, which gives me confidence for the season ahead. I’m convinced that 2026 will be a year of learning and progression, and I know the team will help me develop step by step. It’s also great to work with such a strong test team: Nagashima has already done a fantastic job, and the arrival of Jonathan Rea is a real asset for Honda.” We know each other quite well, and our exchanges of ideas and feedback have been very positive. Our comments on the bike are also similar, which is important for its development. The CBR1000RR-R is a powerful machine that demands a lot of respect. The main objective is therefore to understand it well and know when to take risks and when to refrain from doing so, rather than trying to be a hero. Our track time during winter testing was limited by the bad weather, but riding in the rain was still useful, especially for me, as I'm starting out in Superbike on a new bike. Every lap allows me to gain experience. The first round is at Phillip Island. It's a fantastic circuit, and it will be great to go there at the beginning of the year when it's warm. I'm really looking forward to it. Finally, I wish Somkiat a speedy recovery. He's a great guy, and his return as soon as possible will be important for the whole team, as we continue to progress together.
Somkiat Chantra : “My recovery is progressing well, and I’m happy with how things have turned out since the surgery. Being able to remove the protective gear and stitches fairly quickly was a step in the right direction, although I still need some time before I can get back on the bike. For now, I’m focused on continuing my recovery smoothly and making sure I’m fully prepared before I get back on the bike. I really enjoyed my first experience with the Honda HRC team during the Jerez tests last November. From the moment I arrived at the garage, I felt welcome, and the atmosphere was immediately like a family. Joining a Honda factory team is a significant step and a major project for me, and the fact that the team made me feel comfortable right away was very meaningful. From a technical point of view, I had already ridden the standard CBR1000RR-R for training purposes. Testing the WorldSBK version was a different experience, but the first impression was positive.” During testing, I focused on learning and gradually understanding the bike, working closely with the team to identify areas for improvement, such as my braking and gear-shifting style. Even during this time, I remained in close contact with the team, with Mori-san and my chief mechanic, Sasaki, to keep them updated on my recovery. I'm obviously disappointed not to be able to participate in the first race, but following the doctors' recommendations is the best course of action. I miss the team and am fully focused on returning as soon as possible. I want to thank the entire Honda HRC team for their support and I'm really looking forward to coming back and contributing to its progress.
Yuji Mori, Team Leader – Honda HRC: “I was already part of the Honda HRC WorldSBK project, but taking on the role of Team Manager is a very different responsibility. This position goes far beyond the technical aspects and encompasses many areas, from collaborating with a major international team to creating a supportive environment and a shared vision within the team, the development group, and the riders. This year, we welcome two talented new riders with complementary strengths: Dixon brings his winning experience in Moto2 and a strong drive, while Chantra brings his MotoGP experience, as well as solid technical training and great consistency. Their passion and commitment will allow the team to take the next step. Our first objective is to move forward together and achieve concrete results, consistently fighting at the front. The ultimate goal, of course, is victory, and I am convinced that by working as one team, we can continue to progress and achieve our objectives.” Finally, we would like to thank all our sponsors, especially our technical and long-standing partners Motul, Akrapovič, and One Heart – Satu Hati, and we are also delighted to welcome our new partners Yum Yum, Sittipol, and EEST. We sincerely appreciate their support. We thank all our sponsors and look forward to starting this new season together.
Tom Jojic, Racing Engineer – Jake Dixon: “I’m delighted to be working with Jake. Having Moto2 experience myself, I completely understand his perspective after spending many years in this paddock. During testing, the main objective has been to help him adapt to the Superbike electronics to maximize the bike’s potential. In terms of setup, chassis, and riding style, the differences aren’t extreme: the riding style evolves slightly, but the main adjustment concerns managing the increased power and the numerous electronic systems. While it would have been helpful to have more dry track testing days before Phillip Island, we’ve clearly made progress since the first tests last November, and Jake’s confidence is growing. At the same time, it’s important to keep our feet on the ground. I know Jake is coming in as a winner, but Phillip Island will be his first WorldSBK race weekend, facing very experienced riders in this championship. If the result is good, great; if it’s more difficult, we’ll keep working.” The main objective is to have a solid weekend and gain valuable experience for Jake's first WorldSBK appearance.
Tetsuya Sasaki, Race Engineer – Somkiat Chantra: “Somkiat is a very pleasant person who creates a positive and friendly team atmosphere. From the very first test, we enjoyed working together, and I was impressed by his approach. He started very consistently, then gradually increased his pace and finished the test with some good lap times. Of course, he still needs to adapt to the Superbike and the tires, but we have great confidence in his technique and potential. Unfortunately, due to his injury, we were only able to complete one test together last November, but we focused on optimizing the available track time and delivered a solid performance. During winter testing, we continued to work with Tetsuta Nagashima, collecting valuable data and gaining a clear understanding of the bike's behavior, while remaining in close contact with Somkiat. For the first round, we will continue to gather as much information as possible with Nagashima.”
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