Somkiat Chantra to be Replaced by Tetsuta Nagashima for WorldSBK Round 1

Despite a positive recovery process, Somkiat Chantra will not be fit in time to participate in Round 1 of the Superbike World Championship, set to take place at Phillip Island, Australia, on 20–22 February 2026.

The Thai rider visited Bangkok Hospital on 28 January, where his condition was assessed positively and his cast was removed.

Anyway, due to the recovery timeline, Chantra will be replaced for the season-opening round by official test rider Tetsuta Nagashima, who will join official rider Jake Dixon in the Honda HRC factory team.

Completing the Honda rider line-up for Round 1, British Honda BSB rider Ryan Vickers,  will also take part as a wildcard entry.