P1racenews AI automatic summary:
HRC has confirmed that Somkiat Chantra will miss the opening WorldSBK round of 2026 in Australia.
Somkiat Chantra will miss the opening round of the 2026 WorldSBK season in Australia due to arm injuries sustained during a training day at Sepang earlier this month, as confirmed by HRC.
Chantra underwent surgery following the crash, but his recovery timeline does not allow him to compete at Phillip Island on 20–22 February.
World Superbike test rider Tetsuta Nagashima will step in to replace Chantra in the HRC factory team for the season-opening round.
Additionally, Ryan Vickers will participate as a wildcard in Australia, with Nagashima’s call-up to replace Chantra leaving the wildcard spot open.
Chantra’s World Superbike race debut will be postponed until at least the Portuguese Round at Portimao on 27–29 March.
