Thailand’s first MotoGP rider, Somkiat Chantra, will find a new home in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) next season after being dropped by Honda’s LCR team, Motorsport.com has reported.
Honda management has decided to restructure its line-up, moving Chantra to its factory WSBK squad where he will join former Moto2 race winner Jake Dixon in a completely new line-up for the production-based series.
Background to the Move
With Takaaki Nakagami retiring and Ai Ogura switching to Aprilia’s Trackhouse team, Honda turned to Chantra to fill one of the LCR seats in 2025. That second bike, backed by Japanese oil giant Idemitsu, has long been used to promote Asian riders in MotoGP.
But unlike Nakagami, whose six-year MotoGP run followed the same path, the formula hasn’t worked out for Chantra. A lack of experience, struggles adapting to MotoGP machinery, and injuries all combined to prevent him from meeting expectations.
Honda now views the inability to gather useful development data from one of its four riders as a greater setback than the financial blow of losing Idemitsu’s support.
Dixon Strengthens WSBK Factory Squad
Honda has already begun reinforcing its WSBK program, securing Jake Dixon from the Marc VDS Moto2 team. With no MotoGP offers on the table, the Briton has opted to move to Superbikes instead.
Dixon will join Chantra to form Honda’s new factory line-up in WSBK, following Iker Lecuona’s switch to Ducati and Xavi Vierge’s decision to leave Honda for a rival team.
Chantra’s Career Path
Chantra, who turns 27 on December 15, spent five seasons in Moto2, claiming two race victories. Promoted to MotoGP in 2025, he has started nine races so far with just one points finish to his name. At Assen, he was running 16th when wildcard Aleix Espargaro moved aside, allowing him to snatch the final points-paying position in 15th.
