A return to Honda could be on the cards for Alvaro Bautista after he has reportedly lost his place in the Ducati World Superbike team.

With Toprak Razgatlioglu and Nicolo Bulega's futures decided, the next big piece of the 2026 World Superbike rider market to be decided is the future of Alvaro Bautista.

The two-time World Superbike Champion was reportedly informed in the week that he will not be retained by Ducati for 2026. This decision has left Bautista without a ride for next season and in the hunt for a new ride for his eighth year in World Superbikes.

Despite turning 41 in November, Bautista has admitted that he has no thoughts of retiring and wants to race in the 2026 season.

According to GPOne, Bautista's manager, Simone Battistella, is working hard to find a new home for his rider, and the main option that could be a new alternative for Bautista is a return to Team HRC.

The Spaniard raced for Honda in World Superbikes in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. During this time, he claimed three podiums and finished ninth and tenth in the standings.

Since Bautista left Honda and returned to Ducati, the Japanese manufacturer has slowly made steps to return to the front of the World Superbike Championship. With the lack of a top-end rider to guide the Honda World Superbike project, a reunion with Bautista could be an intriguing proposition for HRC.

For the 2026 season, Honda will be given superconcessions, like BMW had in 2024; this, mixed with the return of Bautista, could see Team HRC springboard to the front of the grid in World Superbikes.

What are Bautista's other options?

The majority of the 2026 World Superbike grid has not been filled, but it seems obvious that Bautista will want to remain inside a factory squad next season.

With the recent news that Razgatlioglu will be leaving BMW to start a new adventure with Pramac Yamaha in MotoGP next season, the Spaniard could become a potential replacement for his fellow two-time World Superbike Champion.

There are no seats left available in the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team as the Italian squad will retain Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani for a second season.

After Andrea Locatelli re-signed with Pata Maxus Yamaha for 2026 and 2027, there is one seat left available at the factory Yamaha squad. There have been no reports suggesting Bautista could end up on a R1, but it is still an open option for now.