Alvaro Bautista is set to replace Danilo Petrucci in the Barni Spark Racing Team and will remain on a Ducati Panigale V4 R.

Since being told that he would not remain within the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati squad, Alvaro Bautista has been a man on a mission to secure a ride for the 2026 World Superbike season.

There have been reports since the announcement from Ducati that he has been in talks with Honda Racing Corporation and the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.

However, the Spaniard now seems to be set to remain on a Ducati Panigale V4 R for a sixth season. But instead of in the factory team, he will be in the Barni Spark Racing Team, according to GPOne.com.

Barring any last-minute changes, Bautista is almost nailed on to replace Danilo Petrucci in the Italian World Superbike team.

Should the two-time World Superbike Champion and the Barni Spark Racing Team agree to a deal before next week, Bautista could test the new Ducati V4 at the Aragon test on August 25th and 26th.

Throughout the 2025 season, Ducati has been very clear that nobody other than their signed riders for the 2026 season will be allowed to test the new machine.

Who did Bautista beat to the Barni Spark Racing Team ride?

There had been recent reports that the Italian team had been looking at Iker Lecuona or Jonathan Rea as replacements for Petrucci.

However, Lecuona has now been offered a one-year deal for the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati squad for next season, which reportedly will be announced in the near future.

The deal that seemed nailed on was Jonathan Rea to Barni Spark Racing Team. But it has now become clear that Rea has no future with the Italian team and confirmed that negotiations had failed to Speedweek.com.