Factory Honda WorldSBK rider Somkiat Chantra has undergone surgery in Thailand after a crash during a training session at Sepang.
Chantra’s injury was confirmed on 16 January by Honda, who confirmed he had broken his right forearm.
HRC’s initial press release did not mention Chantra’s left arm, but the communication confirming the Thai rider’s surgery says the 2026 WorldSBK rookie was operated on on both arms, although only the right arm was put in a cast.
“Following further medical examinations after his return to Thailand, Somkiat Chantra successfully underwent surgery on both arms on Saturday, 17 January, at Bangkok Hospital,” the HRC press release reads.
“His right arm has been placed in a cast, while the left arm did not require one.
“Further updates on Chantra’s recovery timeline will be provided in due course.”
With Chantra’s timeline to return to riding remaining unclear at the moment, it is certain he will miss this week’s first WorldSBK test of the year in Jerez on 21–22 January, and most likely the Portimao test on 28–29 January as well.
Chantra, as well as his 2026 teammate and fellow World Superbike rookie Jake Dixon, got his first taste of the WorldSBK-spec CBR1000RR-R during a post-season test in Jerez last November, but the #35’s latest injury will mean his second experience of the bike will not be until Phillip Island at the earliest, where WorldSBK will test on 16–17 February before the race there on 20–22 February.
If Chantra were to be forced to miss the Australian Round, it is possible that an opportunity could be presented for new HRC WorldSBK test rider Jonathan Rea to make his first race appearance for Honda since 2014 as a fill-in for the Thai rider at Phillip Island.
