The new 2026 Panigale V4 R will be used at the Jerez World Superbike Test this week by Nicolo Bulega and Iker Lecuona.

After finishing runner-up in the 2024 and 2025 World Superbike Championships, Ducati have arrived with a new Panigale V4 R for the 2026 campaign.

The new machine has already been tested by 2024 and 2025 runner-up, Nicolo Bulega, and two-time World Superbike Champion, Alvaro Bautista.

However, the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati squad will get to properly test the bike this week at the Jerez World Superbike Test. Bulega and his new teammate, Iker Lecuona, will have access to the new machine and will begin working hard ahead of the 2026 season.

"The new 2026 Panigale is all new, it’s a bike that has been fully, deeply revised in every area," said Ducati Technical Coordinator Marco Zambenedetti.

"The aerodynamics use some concepts from MotoGP; the chassis is completely revised, with a new front frame, rear swing arm, different balance, a completely different gearbox and engine heads, as well as revised suspension, and a totally different electronics package.

"Compared to the old model, the biggest difference will be changes to the chassis and aerodynamics in terms of bike behaviour, but the riders' feedback and the lap times will tell us."

He added: "We want to give a warm welcome to Iker. These days we need to focus on his feeling with the bike. I think he has lots of potential, and with the team being new, I hope we will find the right way to work at our best together."