Here is the latest on the 2026 World Superbike rider line-up after the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna WorldSBK Round...

Ducati:

Aruba.it Racing - Ducati:

The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati has announced one of its riders for next season, and it has been revealed that their most recent Champion will leave at the end of the season.

Nicolo Bulega has been confirmed in the Ducati World Superbike factory squad as he re-signed with the team for the 2026 season. Part of his deal will also see him help develop Ducati's 2027 MotoGP machine on Pirelli tyres.

On the other side of the garage, Alvaro Bautista has been informed that he will be let go at the end of the season. This has resulted in Danilo Petrucci, Andrea Iannone, and Yari Montella being linked to the factory Ducati seat.

Motocorsa Racing:

The independent Ducati squad have had its 2026 World Superbike line-up sorted since last season. The Italian team and Ryan Vickers signed a two-year deal for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, so he will stay put.

Barni Spark Racing Team:

Neither of the current Barni Spark Racing Team riders has a contract for the 2026 season. If Danilo Petrucci is overlooked for the factory Ducati squad, he has stated that he feels good where he is.

The future of World Superbike rookie Yari Montella is up in the air, but it has been suggested that he could move to the factory squad. The Italian is 16th in the standings and has featured in the top ten on seven occasions so far in his rookie season.

Team Pata GoEleven:

Current Team Pata GoEleven rider, Andrea Iannone, has admitted he wants a factory World Superbike ride for 2026. This desire for a spot in a full factory outfit will likely see the Italian leave GoEleven after two seasons.

There have been no concrete links for the independent Ducati squad, but Jonathan Rea and Jaume Masia's names have been mentioned.

ELF Marc VDS Racing Team:

The Belgian team has not put pen to paper with a rider for 2026, but all signs point towards Sam Lowes remaining put for a third year.

However, the main talking point has revolved around Jonathan Rea, who has reportedly been in discussions with the team over riding for them for free next season.

MGM Bonovo:

There has been no official confirmation from the German team, but as it stands, it appears unlikely that they will remain on the World Superbike grid in 2026. This would leave Scott Redding without a ride in the World Superbike paddock.

BMW:

ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team:

The sole BMW squad in the World Superbike Championship have no riders signed for next season and will lose Toprak Razgatlioglu as he is off to MotoGP next year.

Michael van der Mark is also out of contract with the German manufacturer and is in the middle of a difficult season in his fifth year with the team.

The latest from Misano suggested that Xavi Vierge could become a BMW rider in 2026, but it is unclear whether van der Mark will remain.

Bimota:

Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team:

The only completely confirmed factory World Superbike line-up for 2026 is the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team.

Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani will remain with the Italian manufacturer for a second season after the KB998 Rimini made its debut this season.

Yamaha:

Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Team:

The factory Yamaha World Superbike squad have announced one of its two riders for next season. Andrea Locatelli has already put pen to paper on a two-year deal for 2026 and 2027 after winning his maiden Superbike race at Assen.

It does not appear that Jonathan Rea will remain in the Yamaha garage, although he remains open to the idea. No replacement has been named, but Stefano Manzi and Jack Miller's names have been mentioned as potential replacements for the six-time Champion.

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team:

Neither Remy Gardner nor Dominique Aegerter finds themselves in the top ten of the Championship at the halfway point of the season.

It appears that changes will be made in the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team for 2026, with the likes of Can Oncu impressing in World Supersport. He could find his way onto a Superbike next season.

Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team:

There has already been a midseason change in the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team as Tito Rabat has been replaced with Michael Ruben Rinaldi.

The future of Bahattin Sofuoglu and Rinaldi remains up in the air, as the Motoxracing squad will likely be one of the last teams to announce their squad.

Honda:

Team HRC:

Both factory Honda riders are out of contract at the end of the season, and it appears that drastic changes could be on the way for the Japanese manufacturer.

Alvaro Bautista's name has been linked to a potential return to Honda after he was left out of Ducati's 2026 plans.

Andrea Iannone's name had been linked to Honda back at Cremona, and with his search for a factory seat, there is a chance he could sign for Honda.

Petronas MIE Racing Honda:

Tarran Mackenzie and Zaqhwan Zaidi are out of contract at the end of the season, and the Malaysian team usually do their business late in the year, so there have been no reports as of yet for 2026.

However, it was reported on TNT Sports that Mackenzie has been in discussions with Superbike and Supersport teams for the 2026 season.

Kawasaki:

Kawasaki WorldSBK Team:

It has been a disappointing season for the Puccetti-run Kawasaki WorldSBK Team, as the single bike team finds itself in 17th place with Garrett Gerloff.

There have been suggestions that a second Kawasaki ZX-10RR could be run by the team. But no riders have been linked to the team for the 2026 season.