Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
Honda HRC gears up for the Portuguese WorldSBK round
Honda HRC has arrived at Portugal’s Autódromo Internacional do Algarve for the second round of the 2026 Superbike World Championship. Chantra will be back in action after missing the opening round due to injury and will be joined by factory test rider Jonathan Rea, who steps in for Jake Dixon, still recovering from the injury sustained during the Phillip Island test.
With both permanent riders out of action for the Australian round, Honda HRC fielded test rider Tetsuta Nagashima, who scored points in both long races while collecting valuable data aboard the 2026 CBR1000RR-R.
Somkiat Chantra will be looking to build both on the progress made by Tetsuta during the opening race weekend and on the work completed during a test at Portimão just ten days ago. Despite wet weather, Somkiat was keen to assess his physical condition and see exactly where he stands in terms of mobility. Moreover, he has had very little opportunity to test this winter, so track time at the very circuit that will host Round 2 was important.
For Jonathan Rea, Portimão represents his first WorldSBK race on Honda machinery since the 2014 Qatar finale, where he placed second in Race 2. The six-time world champion can also count on good memories of his last visit to the Portuguese track as a Honda rider that same year, when he won Race 2 aboard the CBR1000RR. Twelve years later, the circumstances are clearly different, with Jonathan having taken to the track only twice so far with the CBR1000RR-R. Rea will be looking to maximise this opportunity to work well with the team and continue developing the bike.
Though unable to race this weekend, Jake Dixon will join the team at Portimão, lending his support from the garage.
Portugal’s Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, located close to the town of Portimão, hosted WorldSBK for the first time in 2008. An instant hit with the riders, it has regularly staged the production-derived championship ever since. A real rollercoaster of a circuit, it stands out for its technical layout, significant changes in elevation and long start/finish straight. This physically demanding track measures 4.592 km and incorporates nine right turns and six left turns.
Somkiat Chantra 35 Honda HRC
“I think I’m ready to get back in action in Portimão, as I’ve been riding consistently over the past few weeks. I’ve been training several times at home with my CBR600RR and also completed a one-day test with my race CBR1000RR-R here in Portimão two weeks ago. Of course, I still need to pass the medical check, but hopefully everything will go well. Then we will see how I feel over the course of a full race weekend. Everything will be quite new for me, as although I know the track from previous years - not one of my favourites I admit - it will be my first time racing here with a Superbike. That said, I’ll give it my all, stay on full gas and do my best.”
Jonathan Rea 65 Honda HRC
“Firstly, I want to wish Jake a very speedy recovery. The chance to race in WorldSBK again has come earlier than I expected, but it will also allow me to get some time on the bike and keep working with the team. The weather this winter has been quite challenging, so being able to come to Portugal and race is important and we’ll try to make the most of it to gather valuable information. It’s a circuit I really enjoy and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow with the CBR, while learning as much as possible. There are no real expectations or targets, just to enjoy the weekend, work well with the team and the crew, and continue developing the bike as best we can. I think it’s a very ambitious project that requires a lot of work, but I’m optimistic.”
Jake Dixon 96 Honda HRC
“I travelled to Manchester on 17 March for a follow-up medical check and the news is positive. My wrist is now out of the backslab and in a splint, though I still have the wires in place, which will be removed in a couple of weeks. I will be in Portugal this week to support the team. Having Johnny stepping in while I’m injured is a great thing for us. He’s a multiple world champion, so I want to take the opportunity to learn as much as possible from him – how he works, how he communicates with the team, his feedback. Even if I can’t ride right now, I want to stay involved, help the team and keep morale high. It will also be a good chance for me to better understand how a WorldSBK race weekend works. I’ll be there supporting the boys and hopefully cheering them on to a strong result.”
