Honda Racing confirms 2026 line-up
Honda Racing has revealed its 2026 BSB and road racing line-up, which includes former Yamaha star Jason O’Halloran.
Jason O’Halloran is back where it all started for the Aussie, after signing a deal with Honda for the 2026 BSB season.
The former McAMS Yamaha rider left BSB at the conclusion of 2024 in the hope of becoming world champion in the FIM Endurance World Championship. That’s exactly what O’Halloran achieved alongside teammates Karel Hanika and Marvin Fritz for the YART Yamaha squad.
O’Halloran’s return to BSB will see him replace Tommy Bridewell, who recently left Honda before joining the new Superbike Advocates team on a Ducati.
O’Halloran’s first factory deal in BSB was with Honda, but his best years came aboard the Yamaha R1 from 2019 to 2023.
Speaking about his return to BSB with Honda, O’Halloran said:
“At the end of 2024 I decided to stop BSB for various reasons, but the main factor was the opportunity to go and try to become a World Champion, which as a kid was always the ultimate dream. So when the opportunity came I thought ‘If I don’t go now, I probably won’t do it’. So to have gone to EWC and realise that childhood dream is amazing.
“Of course, I always knew in the back of my mind that I wanted to win a championship in BSB. And now I’ve ticked the EWC box, it’s time to tick the BSB box. There’s definitely unfinished business, since the Covid years, I’ve won more races than anyone and I was only prepared to return if I knew I could fight for more.
“I’m returning now with the team where it all started for me. My first factory deal was with Honda and they provided me with the springboard on which to build my career. So to do the full circle and come back to BSB as a World Champion and to return to the team where it all started, that’s the cherry on top of the cake.”
As well as confirming the signing of O’Halloran, a press release from Honda Racing confirmed its full 2026 rider line-up, with some familiar faces returning to the fold.
On the roads, Dean Harrison will once again be leading the Japanese manufacturer’s charge. Harrison was victorious in both Superstock races at the Isle of Man TT in 2025 with Honda, and he will again be joined by John McGuinness MBE.
McGuinness is a 23-time race winner at the TT, and in 2026 he will be celebrating 30 years of competing at the legendary road course. He will also make his 100th race start at the North West 200.
Discussing the 2026 season and his eagerness to continue racing, McGuinness said:
“I’ve been on a journey that has not stopped giving; it’s been like Christmas day over and over again! The position I am in is so unique, to be able to keep on going, keep on doing the speeds we are doing and to keep getting the chance to go and ride my bike, it’s unique, and I couldn’t be prouder to keep on going and be a part of this team.
“I can still hammer the times out, there’s no one else knocking at the door, and I want to keep on doing it, there’s no two ways about it. We were getting points in Superstock, and I tell you, they don’t give them out for free; that is a hard, hard class to compete in. We got on the podium at the North West in 24 and a podium again at the TT would be the cherry on top of the cake.”
Back to BSB, O’Halloran will be joined by Ryan Vickers, who is returning to the series after a difficult rookie season in WorldSBK with the Motocorsa Ducati team. In British Supersport Honda Racing will have Jack Kennedy aboard its CBR600RR once again. Kennedy won the title with Honda in 2024 before finishing third in 2025.
Find the latest motorcycle news on Visordown.com.
After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
