With the departure of their rider pair this offseason after four positive seasons with the team, Honda HRC stood at an important crossroads in their MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship story. Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) had ridden very well for the team as the team worked tirelessly to take steps forward with their Honda CBR1000RR-R SP. A big pair of signings would be needed to fill such big shoes left in the garage. Honda HRC did just that in their marquee signings of Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) and his teammate Somkiat Chantra.

THE WHOLE BOX BEHIND THEM: “Having such a strong and experienced crew around me makes a huge difference”

Dixon burst onto the British Superbike championship in 2016, finishing that season before climbing to sixth in 2017 – when he also made his WorldSBK debut as a wildcard at Donington. 2018 was another leap forward, landing runner-up in 2018 via his three wins, 16 podiums and four poles. From there, he joined Moto2. His first three seasons were more troublesome than the clear progression he enjoyed previously, but in 2022, with his move to a new team, he took sixth place with six podiums. In the three seasons since then, the lowest he’s fallen in that Championship’s results has been 8^th place, but now a new challenge awaits him in WorldSBK. He has had limited time atop his new Honda CBR1000RR-R but is looking to attack 2026 with plenty of enthusiasm, where he’ll be guided from the box by his crew chief, Tom Jojic.

On his new opportunity, Dixon said: “It’s an incredible feeling to be a factory Honda HRC rider and to represent Honda in WorldSBK. Being part of this project is something I’ve always dreamed of and I’m genuinely excited to get started and begin this new chapter. Having such a strong and experienced crew around me makes a huge difference. Meeting the team for the first time was a little intimidating, I admit, simply due to the project’s size and scale, but everyone was extremely welcoming, and that gives me confidence heading into the season. I truly believe 2026 will be a year of learning and growth, and I know the team will help me develop step by step. It’s also great to work alongside 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 exchanging ideas and feedback has been very positive. As for the CBR1000RR-R SP, it’s a powerful machine that demands a lot of respect, so right now the focus is on really understanding it and knowing when to take risks and when not to, rather than trying to be a hero.”

GETTING UP TO SPEED: “I focused on learning the bike step by step to identify where I need to improve - my riding style when braking and shifting, for example”

Chantra’s story began in earnest when his three wins and five podiums clinched him the 2016 Asia Talent Cup, culminating in his move to the Moto3 European Championship. He competed in Moto2 for six seasons, showing a positive trajectory after landing 21^st and 25^th in his first two seasons from 2019 to 2020. From 2022 to 2024, he improved his results to take 10th, 6th, and 12^th. While 2023 was his best finish in the Championship, 2022 was his best in terms of personal results as he landed four podiums and his first Moto2 win at the Indonesian GP, and later nearly sent the home fans into delirium as his first pole position nearly helped him to a win at his home GP until a crash sent him back to the boxes early. 2025 brought with it a jump up to the MotoGP paddock with the Idemitsu Honda LCR squad, and after a challenging rookie season, he moves to embark on a new journey in WorldSBK with crew chief Tetsuya Sasaki.

That journey’s first step, unfortunately, will have to be delayed, as Chantra was injured in a training accident on a stock Honda bike and will not be fit in time for the Australian Round’s season debut. He will instead be replaced by Honda HRC’s Test Team rider, Tetsuta Nagashima.

On his recovery and his hopes for this season, Chantra said: “My recovery is progressing well, and I’m happy with how things are going post-surgery. Being able to remove the protection and stitches quite quickly was a positive step, though I still need time before I can ride again. For now, the focus is on calmly continuing my recovery and making sure I’m fully ready before getting back on the bike. From the moment I entered the garage, I felt welcome, and the atmosphere immediately felt like a family. Joining a Honda factory team is a big step and a very important project for me, and it meant a lot that the team made me feel relaxed and comfortable right away. From a technical standpoint, I had already ridden the standard CBR1000RR-R SP for training purposes. Testing the WorldSBK version was a different experience, but the feeling was immediately positive. During the test, I focused on learning and understanding the bike step by step, working closely with the team to identify areas where I need to improve - my riding style when braking and shifting, for example. I’m obviously disappointed not to be able to race at the opening round, but following the doctors’ advice is the right thing to do.”

SETTING THEIR TARGETS: “Our first objective is to move forward together and achieve solid results, fighting consistently at the front”

The team’s riders aren’t the only changes in the box, as it was announced in the latter half of the 2025 season that Team Manager Jose Escamez and Honda HRC parted ways at the end of the campaign, leaving an important role needing to be filled. Japan’s Yuji Mori steps forward as the new Team Manager after holding a technical role with the squad. He brings prior MotoGP and Suzuka 8 Hours experience that he hopes to apply to the outfit.

On the upcoming campaign, Mori said: “I was already part of the Honda HRC WorldSBK project, but stepping into the Team Manager role is a very different responsibility. The job goes well beyond the technical side and involves many aspects, from working with a large group of international people to creating the right environment and a shared direction within the team, the development group and the riders. This year, we welcome two strong new riders with well-balanced strengths: Dixon brings race-winning Moto2 experience and high motivation, while Chantra brings MotoGP experience as well as a solid technical background and great consistency. Their passion and commitment can help the team take the next step. Our first objective is to move forward together and achieve solid results, fighting consistently at the front. The ultimate goal is of course victory, and I believe that by working as one team we can keep progressing and reach our targets.”

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