Jake Dixon’s first factory WorldSBK bike has been revealed for the first time by Honda ahead of the 2026 season.
Dixon moved to HRC over the winter after seven seasons racing the Moto2 World Championship.
2026 therefore marks Dixon’s first season as a factory rider as he partners fellow former grand prix rider Somkiat Chantra.
The two WorldSBK rookies have had contrasting winters, with Dixon taking part in both European tests and Chantra missing both after crashing at Sepang in January and having surgery on both arms.
Chantra will be replaced by HRC test rider Tetsuta Nagashima at the first WorldSBK round of the year in Australia next month on 20–22 February, which has opened the door for a wildcard for Honda Racing UK BSB rider Ryan Vickers at Phillip Island, the English rider having taken part in last year’s post-season tests with HRC in Jerez.
While Dixon has been able to take part in both tests so far this year, they have not been the most productive as rain in both Jerez on 21–22 January and Portimao on 28–29 January prevented teams and riders from completing the testing plans they had put together in the lead up to the tests. Instead, Dixon spent most of the Portimao test in particular working on ergonomics and understanding his new bike in wet conditions.
The final preseason test will take place at Phillip Island on 16–17 February, a few days ahead of the season-opening race there.
