HRC has confirmed that Somkiat Chantra will not take part in the opening round of the 2026 WorldSBK season.

Chantra’s absence from what would’ve been his rookie WorldSBK appearance has been confirmed after he underwent surgery in Thailand following a crash at Sepang earlier in January that resulted in arm injuries.

Chantra had already been forced to miss both tests this month, in Jerez on 21–22 January and in Portimao on 28–29 January, but HRC has not confirmed that he will be replaced by Tetsuta Nagashima in Australia.

The Japanese rider’s HRC test team colleague, Ryan Vickers, has also been granted a wildcard, and the 2026 Honda Racing UK BSB signing will return to the WorldSBK grid at Phillip Island on 20–22 February.

“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,” a statement from HRC reads.

“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.”

Chantra’s next opportunity to make his WorldSBK race debut will be at the second round in Portimao on 27–29 March.