Continuing the winning streak: Jake Dixon (30) gives Honda hope for Estoril

Honda has endured a long dry spell in the Superbike World Championship, and even the latest progress should not obscure the fact that the Japanese factory team and its two riders, Jake Dixon and Somkiat Chantra, still have a great deal of work to do before they can dream of podium finishes. However, the Englishman’s well-deserved sixth place in the second race at Cremona recently brings the top five within reach.

Perhaps as early as this coming weekend at Estoril, there will be an opportunity to set a new highlight of the season. Dixon heads into the eleventh – and penultimate – race weekend of 2026 with great confidence.

“I’ll approach Estoril just like any other race weekend – with total commitment and the aim of giving it my all. I’m feeling more and more comfortable and believe that we’ll only get stronger from here on,” emphasised the 30-year-old. “Of course, like everyone else, we’ll have our ups and downs, but the aim is to continue this trend, work hard, stay focused and try to achieve the best possible results.”

Dixon’s advantage: Honda tested at Estoril at the end of August

At the end of August, Honda Racing Corporation completed a two-day test at the Portuguese circuit. Although the mixed weather meant not much set-up work could be done, getting to know the circuit was at least as important – the long-serving GP riders were unfamiliar with the Circuito do Estoril until then.

“I rode there for the first time and really like the track. It has great character, suits my riding style well, and I think the Honda should perform quite well there,” believes Dixon. “The fact that I’ve already had the chance to ride the track and work on the bike a bit should definitely be an advantage at the start of the race weekend.”

Topic of the week

A stuttering start to the Bahrain Grand Prix: the FIA narrowly avoids a fiasco like the one in Indianapolis in 2005

Fans could hardly believe their eyes at what they witnessed at the Bahrain Grand Prix: cars crawling along, racing cars that simply came to a standstill. The FIA narrowly avoided a fiasco like the one at Indy in 2005.

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Tomorrow

Estoril: 1. Freies Training

FIM Superbike World Championship

09.10.2026 - 11:15