Rea and Chantra to ride at Portimao test for Honda HRC, Dixon recovery "progressing as expected"
Somkiat Chantra will return to WorldSBK action at the Portimao test, and he’ll be joined by six-time Champion Jonathan Rea as Jake Dixon continues to recover from his wrist injury
Honda HRC will participate in next week’s two-day private test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve with a slightly revised line-up. After missing the season-opening Australian Round, Somkiat Chantra will be back on the CBR1000RR-R SP machine in Portugal, while he’ll be joined in the box by Jonathan Rea. The six-time Champion signed as Honda’s test rider over the winter but will join the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field for the test, in place of Jake Dixon, who continues to recover from his wrist injury.
Chantra was injured in private testing at Sepang ahead of the winter tests at Jerez and Portimao, and he subsequently underwent surgery on both arms. Although the surgery was a success, he was forced to miss Australia as his recovery continued. Since then, the #35 has been training on a CBR600RR machine in Thailand and will link up with his crew at Honda HRC at the Portimao test as he jumps back on WorldSBK machinery.
A statement from the team regarding Chantra said: “All post-surgery medical checks on Chantra’s arms have brought positive results, and the Thai rider has already taken to the track, riding a CBR600RR during training sessions in his home country. The Portimao test will give Chantra the opportunity to reunite with his team and his CBR1000RR-R for the first time since completing a single test with the squad at the end of 2025.”
On the other side of the box, Dixon won’t be at the test. The #96 suffered a fractured wrist at the Official Test in Australia, ruling him out of action for Round 1. Like his teammate, Dixon also underwent surgery which was a success and he has since had another medical check in the UK. Following that, he has returned to Andorra, where his rehabilitation is continuing. However, the test comes too soon for the 30-year-old, and his place in the Honda HRC box will be taken by Rea. The six-time Champion signed as Honda’s test rider following his retirement from full-time racing at the end of 2025 and he has already tested the CBR1000RR-R SP bike at Jerez and Portimao in the winter.
Honda’s statement regarding Dixon read: “After undergoing surgery on his left wrist at “The Avenue Hospital” in Melbourne, Jake Dixon returned to Europe. A follow-up medical check in the UK has confirmed that his recovery is progressing as expected. The British rider is now at home in Andorra and will not take part in the upcoming Portuguese test as he continues his rehabilitation. Taking his place in the Honda HRC team garage will be six-time world champion Jonathan Rea, who will share the box with Somkiat Chantra as the Thai rider returns to track action.”
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