Somkiat Chantra will miss the opening round of the 2026 WorldSBK season in Australia, HRC has confirmed. He was operated on soon after the crash, but his recovery timeline means he will be unable to compete at the opening round of the season in Australia on 20–22 February. HRC has also confirmed that Chantra will be replaced by its World Superbike test rider Tetsuta Nagashima. Nagashima has wildcarded in Australia in previous seasons, but his call-up to replace Chantra leaves the wildcard bike available. For Chantra, his absence from Australia means his race debut in World Superbike will be delayed until at least the Portuguese Round at Portimao on 27–29 March.