Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has officially confirmed its rider line-up for the 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship, announcing that Somkiat Chantra and Jake Dixon will spearhead the factory effort. Both riders arrive with proven winning pedigree from the Moto2 World Championship and a wealth of international racing experience.
The pairing marks a significant moment for Honda’s Superbike project. Chantra represents a breakthrough for Asian motorsport, becoming the first Thai rider to race full-time as a WorldSBK factory rider, while Dixon brings with him the depth of experience and grit forged through years of battling at the sharp end of European racing. Together, their profiles combine to create an international team with the ambition and talent to push Honda back toward the top of the championship.
Taichi Honda – HRC General Manager
“We are delighted to welcome Somkiat Chantra and Jake Dixon into the Honda HRC WorldSBK Team from 2026. Somkiat has already made history for Thailand, first by winning in Moto2 and later stepping up into MotoGP, and this new chapter keeps him within the Honda family at the highest level of racing. He now becomes the very first Thai rider to compete as a factory rider in WorldSBK, which is an incredible milestone for both him and for Honda.
Jake, meanwhile, has developed into one of Moto2’s most competitive riders, a multiple Grand Prix winner with the consistency and determination needed to succeed against the best in the world. His performances over the past few seasons have underlined his ability to adapt and fight, qualities that are vital in such a competitive environment as WorldSBK.
Together, their talent, experience, and hunger to succeed will be key assets as we continue to invest in our WorldSBK project. Our goal remains clear: to fight at the front and bring Honda back to the top of this championship.”
Rider Profiles
Somkiat Chantra
Born 15 December 1998 in Chonburi, Thailand, Chantra has steadily climbed the international racing ladder. His first major success came in 2016 when he won the Asia Talent Cup, a Honda-backed program designed to discover and nurture young riders across Asia. He progressed into the FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship before stepping up to Moto2 with Idemitsu Honda Team Asia in 2019.
Chantra wrote his name into the history books in 2022 when he became the first Thai rider ever to win a Moto2 Grand Prix, triumphing at Mandalika in Indonesia. He added a second career victory at Motegi, Japan in 2023, further cementing his place as one of the most successful Asian riders in the sport’s history. By the end of the 2024 season, he had scored 104 points to finish 12th overall in Moto2. In 2025, Chantra made his debut in the MotoGP World Championship with IDEMITSU Honda LCR, becoming the first Thai rider to compete full-time in the premier class.
Jake Dixon
Born 15 January 1996 in Dover, England, Dixon first made his name in domestic racing, finishing as runner-up in the 2018 British Superbike Championship. His performances quickly earned him a move to the world stage, where he has since become one of the standout competitors in Moto2.
Dixon has built an impressive résumé in the intermediate class, claiming six career Grand Prix victories across three seasons: two in 2023 (Assen and Catalunya), two more in 2024 (Silverstone and Aragón), and back-to-back wins in 2025 (Argentina and the Americas). Alongside his victories, he has achieved a total of 21 podium finishes and eight pole positions, demonstrating his consistency and ability to deliver under pressure.
Now preparing to graduate to WorldSBK, Dixon joins HRC at a pivotal moment in its pursuit of renewed success, bringing with him both speed and valuable racecraft from years of international competition.
Looking Ahead
With Chantra and Dixon confirmed, Honda’s 2026 WorldSBK factory line-up signals both continuity and ambition. The Japanese manufacturer remains fully committed to regaining its place among the sport’s frontrunners, and the arrival of this diverse and dynamic rider pairing provides fresh momentum for the project.
