Before making any commitments for the 2026 season, Can Oncu will test the Yamaha R1 during the summer break.

For the 2026 World Superbike Championship, Yamaha has three of their factory rides filled, with one seat still available.

The Japanese manufacturer has Andrea Locatelli locked in with the Pata Maxus Yamaha Team until the end of the 2027 World Superbike season.

As well as Remy Gardner and World Supersport Championship leader, Stefano Manzi, confirmed with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team until the end of 2027.

It seems more and more likely that six-time World Superbike Champion, Jonathan Rea, will exit Yamaha at the end of 2025 as he is reportedly hunting for a Ducati Panigale V4 R.

However, the favourite to replace the Northern Irishman at Yamaha is currently World Supersport rider, Can Oncu. The 22-year-old has two options for the 2026 season: he could move into the World Superbike Championship or switch over to Moto2.

"I can be strong in both paddocks; I'm mentally and physically much stronger today than I was back then in the GP paddock," Oncu told SPEEDWEEK.com.

"Toprak is moving to MotoGP, and my brother Deniz is in Moto2. But Yamaha also needs strong riders in the SBK paddock, and I want to be that one.

"Hopefully, Bahattin Sofuoglu too. The two of us could be the two strong Turks who stay in the Superbike paddock."

Speedweek.com have also reported that Oncu has asked Yamaha if he can have a private test on a Yamaha R1, like Manzi, before he makes any commitments.

It is believed that across the six-week summer break, the Turkish rider will get the chance to test the R1, but the date and location are unknown.