2023 BSB Champion Tommy Bridewell will race in WorldSBK this season, not BSB, after a “last-minute switch” by the Superbike Advocates team.
The Australian Superbike Advocates team announced at the beginning of 2025 that it would be entering BSB in 2026. By the end of the year rumours were floating that the team would do WorldSBK instead, but the signing of Tommy Bridewell seemed to confirm the team on the BSB grid for this year.
However, a “last-minute switch”, as Bridewell has put it, means the team will race in the World Championship, not in Britain, this season, and will become the seventh Ducati team on the grid (or the eighth if Andrea Iannone's Cainam Racing team materialises).
The switch came too late for the team to line-up at its home race at Phillip Island, but Bridewell and Superbike Advocates will begin their season at the first European round at Portimao on 27–29 March.
“It’s an opportunity I’ve never been given before,” Bridewell told WorldSBK.com.
“We were testing for BSB at Portimao, and when the bikes arrived – full WorldSBK spec – I made a jokey comment to the team to the effect of ‘wouldn’t it be nice to leave them like that and not have to remove all the electronics.’
“I think this gave the team food for thought, and before I knew it, the entry was submitted, and we were approved to compete in WorldSBK. A last-minute switch, but I couldn’t be more excited.
“I want to say a huge thank you to the team for the opportunity. I think it’s all coming together, and we’re in for an exciting year.
“Sure, I’ve got a lot to learn – I’ve been racing for many years and am going into the season as prepared as I’ve ever been, but I feel a bit like a rookie! I’m really looking forward to it, though.
“I just couldn’t turn down this chance, and I really hope the BSB fans can get to some of the races and support me and the other British riders. Let’s see how we do.”
Superbike Advocates team owner Lee Khouri added: “To officially step onto the WorldSBK grid in 2026 is an incredibly proud moment – not just for our team, but for Australia.
“Superbike Advocates Racing will be the first Australian-owned team in the history of the Superbike World Championship, and that’s something that means a great deal to me personally.
“This project started with pure passion - passion for Ducati, for racing, and for building something that could compete at the highest level.
“What began in Australian Superbike has evolved into a World Championship campaign much sooner than we originally planned, and that reflects the belief we have in the people around us.
“WorldSBK is one of the most competitive Championships in global motorsport. We’re not entering to make up the numbers – we’re here to build, to learn quickly, and to fight.
“With Tommy’s experience, the Ducati Panigale V4R, and the strength of our technical structure, we believe we can establish ourselves as a serious and professional operation from day one. To represent Australia and the United Kingdom on the world stage in this way is something I’m extremely proud of. This is just the beginning.”
