Here is the latest on the 2026 World Superbike rider line-up after the French World Superbike Round...

Ducati:

Aruba.it Racing - Ducati:

The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati has announced both of its riders for next season, and it has been revealed that its 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. The Spaniard will be replaced by fellow Spaniard, Iker Lecuona, who will leave Team HRC after four years.

ELF Marc VDS Racing Team:

The Belgian team and Sam Lowes have put pen to paper on a new deal for the 2026 and 2027 World Superbike seasons. Extending their long-standing partnership that has spanned across Moto2 and World Superbikes.

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.

However, it has recently been reported that the Italian team may look to replace Vickers after only a season working together.

Barni Spark Racing Team:

Danilo Petrucci's replacement in the Barni Spark Racing Team has been named as Alvaro Bautista. The two-time World Superbike Champion has signed a one-year deal to ride for the Italian team in 2026.

Yari Montella has re-signed with the Italian team for the 2026 season, which will be his fourth year with the team.

Team Pata GoEleven:

Denis Sacchetti, the Team Manager at Team Pata GoEleven, has stated that GoElevens' "time with Andrea Iannone has come to an end."

It was heavily suspected that Dominique Aegerter would race for the Team Pata GoEleven squad next season. But Xavi Vierge has put his name into contention if he can find the funds to secure the Ducati seat.

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. However, Scott Redding has left the team to make a full-time return to British Superbikes.

BMW:

ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team:

BMW have put pen to paper with a rider for the 2026 World Superbike Championship as the German manufacturer has signed Danilo Petrucci to replace the departing Toprak Razgatlioglu.

Michael van der Mark is out of contract with the German manufacturer and has confirmed that he will not be in World Superbikes next season.

It is expected that the Dutch rider will be replaced by the current Prima Pramac Racing Yamaha MotoGP rider, Miguel Oliveira.

Bimota:

Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team:

The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team line-up is completely confirmed as they decided to retain both riders for 2026.

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.

Jonathan Rea will not remain with the factory Yamaha squad as the six-time World Superbike Champion has announced his retirement from full-time racing.

Despite rumours suggesting that he could enter the Moto2 World Championship in 2026, Can Oncu will test the Yamaha R1 at Cremona this week before deciding his future.

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team:

Remy Gardner has put pen to paper on a two-year deal to remain in the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team.

Stefano Manzi will step up to the World Superbike Championship next season after signing a two-year deal with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team.

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 2025 season, and it has been confirmed that Iker Lecuona will not remain with the Japanese manufacturer.

Xavi Vierge's future has not been decided, but he has been recently linked with Team Pata GoEleven as his future with Honda seems uncertain.

However, it seems nailed on that Jake Dixon will move away from the Moto2 World Championship to join Team HRC in 2026. It has also been rumoured that Somkiat Chantra will move from MotoGP to World Superbikes next season.

Petronas MIE Racing Honda:

Tito Rabat stepped into the Petronas MIE Racing Honda squad to replace the departing Tarran Mackenzie. But as it stands, the Spaniard will only finish the 2025 season with the Malaysian squad; no future deal has been announced.

Zaqhwan Zaidi is 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 over the Malaysian rider's future.

Kawasaki:

Kawasaki WorldSBK Team:

Despite a disappointing start to the 2025 World Superbike Championship, Garrett Gerloff and the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team will continue together in 2026.

There have been rumours that a second Puccetti-run Kawasaki ZX-10RR could be on the grid next season, but the rumour has since gone quiet throughout the season.