As the World Superbike Championship gets ready to get the 2026 season underway this weekend, Jake Dixon and his Honda team have unveiled their bike ahead of the season opener.

The new season marks the beginning of an important new chapter for Honda HRC in WorldSBK, with an all-new rider line-up featuring Jake Dixon and Somkiat Chantra. Dover’s Dixon is set to make his WorldSBK race debut with the Honda HRC team this week. Despite challenging weather conditions that affected parts of the winter test programme, the British rider has made steady progress and continues to build confidence with the CBR1000RR-R under the guidance of his crew chief, Tom Jojic.

The 2026 season also represents a new step for the squad, with Yuji Mori taking on the role of Team Manager. Having previously worked within the Honda HRC WorldSBK structure in a technical role, the Japanese manager brings continuity to the project, along with international racing experience that includes MotoGP and the Suzuka 8 Hours with the Honda HRC factory team.

The final two days of official pre-season testing are currently taking place at the iconic Phillip Island circuit, ahead of the season-opening round, scheduled for 20–22 February at the same track. The stage is set for the start of what promises to be a highly competitive and exciting WorldSBK season.

Speaking ahead of the season, Dixon said: “It’s an incredible feeling to be a factory Honda HRC rider and to represent Honda in WorldSBK. Being part of this project is something I’ve always dreamed of and I’m genuinely excited to get started and begin this new chapter. When you join a factory project like this, you know there will always be new things to try and learn, and you also need to be smart and use your time effectively. Having such a strong and experienced crew around me makes a huge difference. Meeting the team for the first time was a little intimidating, I admit, simply due to the project’s size and scale, but everyone was extremely welcoming and that gives me confidence heading into the season. I truly believe 2026 will be a year of learning and growth, and I know the team will help me develop step by step.

“It’s also great to work alongside a strong test team: Nagashima has already done a fantastic job, and the arrival of Jonathan Rea is a real asset for Honda. We know each other quite well and exchanging ideas and feedback has been very positive. Our comments about the bike seem similar too, which is important for development. As for the CBR1000RR-R, it’s a powerful machine that demands a lot of respect, so right now the focus is on really understanding it and knowing when to take risks and when not to, rather than trying to be a hero.

“Our track time during winter testing was limited due to bad weather, but riding in the wet was useful anyway, especially for me as a Superbike rookie on a new bike, because every lap helps me to build experience. The first round is at Phillip Island.

“It’s a fantastic track, and it will be great to go there at the beginning of the year, when the weather is warm. I’m really looking forward to it. Lastly, I’d like to wish Somkiat all the best in his recovery. He’s a great character and having him back as soon as possible will be important for the whole team as we continue to grow and move forward together.”