Jonathan Rea replaces injured Dixon for Honda WSBK efforts
Jonathan Rea’s return to the WorldSBK grid is the true headline for Honda HRC forward of spherical two at Portimão, with the retired six-time world champion drafted again into racing duties as Jake Dixon continues his restoration from the accidents he sustained at Phillip Island. Rea, who retired from full-time competitors on the finish of the 2025 season earlier than taking over a Honda check rider function, will make his first race look of 2026 aboard the manufacturing unit CBR1000RR-R SP on the Portuguese spherical on March 27-29.
It’s a important full-circle second for Rea, who started his WorldSBK profession with Honda and final raced the model in 2014. He stays probably the most profitable rider in championship historical past with 119 wins, 264 podiums and 470 begins, and Honda will probably be hoping a few of that have may also help regular a undertaking that has too usually promised greater than it has delivered. Rea already had a style of the bike in winter testing and was again in motion on the current Portimão check, the place he ended the disrupted opening day because the main Honda rider.
Jonathan Rea
“It was nice to work with the crew once more and get that feeling again, though we as soon as once more needed to take care of some dangerous climate. In actual fact, the climate has been a problem all through the entire winter testing season. Thus far, we’ve solely managed to finish round 50–60 laps in all, which is lower than one full day of testing in regular situations, so we nonetheless have a whole lot of work to do. That mentioned, I used to be capable of perceive the extent of the CBR fairly shortly once I arrived. It’s already good, however there are clearly some areas the place we will enhance. We’re getting there step by step, and we’re giving the engineers in Japan and the staff right here a clearer route to comply with. Bodily, my situation is a lot better in comparison with the primary check we had in Jerez, the place I couldn’t bend my knee sufficient to journey comfortably. Portimão is a really bodily monitor, so all in all it was a great check, and I really feel bodily able to preserve progressing with the work.”
Somkiat Chantra can be set to return for Honda HRC, pending the ultimate FIM medical clearance, after lacking the season opener by way of damage. The Thai rider has been working again to health following surgical procedure on each arms and used the current Portimão check to reconnect with the CBR1000RR-R after time away, giving Honda not less than one piece of encouraging information on the rider entrance because it heads into Portugal.
Somkiat Chantra
“It was in fact good to be again on the bike and capable of check, even when the climate solely allowed us to finish round 40 laps. I attempted to take it step-by-step to verify how my arms have been feeling. The left arm has been okay, however on the suitable facet I nonetheless can’t transfer precisely as I did earlier than and when I attempt to lean into the nook, I really feel some ache. However I used to be anticipating that, and it’s fairly regular at this stage. I had already executed some coaching with my CBR600RR again in Thailand, however the purpose of this check was to get some correct monitor time and regain confidence with my racing bike and with my staff. I’ll now return dwelling and proceed coaching; I hope to be prepared for the Portimão spherical.”
However the larger image for Honda stays onerous to disregard. It is a manufacturing unit programme with the finances and assets to be preventing a lot nearer to the entrance, but the staff has spent current seasons trying to find clear solutions about its bike, construction and rider line-up. Funds doesn’t appear to be a problem in any respect; as an alternative, the staff organisation itself has been Honda’s largest drawback throughout its fashionable WorldSBK period.
That makes Rea’s comeback greater than a sentimental cameo. Honda entered 2026 needing progress after ending 2025 with Xavi Vierge as its high rider in seventh total, whereas the marque continued to path Ducati, BMW and Yamaha within the broader pecking order. Rea’s expertise provides Honda a right away benchmark, Chantra’s return restores one half of its supposed rider line-up, and all of it provides additional scrutiny to a undertaking that merely has to point out extra in 2026 than it has lately.
WorldSBK Championship Factors
 |
||
|
Pos |
Rider | Factors |
|
1 |
N. Bulega |
62 |
|
2 |
A. Bassani |
42 |
|
3 |
Y. Montella |
26 |
|
4 |
L. Baldassarri |
25 |
|
5 |
A. Bautista |
19 |
|
6 |
I. Lecuona |
19 |
|
7 |
T. Mackenzie |
17 |
|
8 |
M. Oliveira |
17 |
|
9 |
S. Lowes |
16 |
|
10 |
D. Petrucci |
16 |
|
11 |
A. Lowes |
16 |
|
12 |
G. Gerloff |
15 |
|
13 |
A. Locatelli |
14 |
|
14 |
A. Surra |
11 |
|
15 |
T. Nagashima |
7 |
|
16 |
R. Gardner |
3 |
|
17 |
S. Manzi |
2 |
|
18 |
B. Sofuoglu |
1 |
|
19 |
R. Vickers |
1 |
2026 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship calendar
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|
……Date……. |
Nation |
Circuit |
WorldSBK |
WorldSSP |
WorldSPB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27-29 Mar |
POR |
Algarve Int’l |
X |
X |
X |
|
17-19 Apr |
NED |
TT Assen |
X |
X |
X |
|
1-3 Might |
HUN |
Balaton Park |
X |
X |
|
|
15-17 Might |
CZE |
Most |
X |
X |
X |
|
29-31 Might |
ESP |
MotorLand Aragon |
X |
X |
X |
|
12-14 Jun |
ITA |
Misano – Marco Simoncelli |
X |
X |
X |
|
10-12 Jul |
UK |
Donington Park |
X |
X |
|
|
4-6 Sep |
FRA |
Nevers Magny-Cours |
X |
X |
X |
|
25-27 Sep |
ITA |
Cremona |
X |
X |
X |
|
Sep 11 Oct |
POR |
Estoril |
X |
X |
|
|
16-18 Oct |
ESP |
Jerez – Angel Nieto* |
X |
X |
X |
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