Who are the realistic options to replace Toprak Razgatlioglu in the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for the 2026 season?
All eyes are on Toprak Razgatlioglu as it has beenn announced that he will ride for the Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team in the 2026 MotoGP World Championship.
With World Superbike losing one of its biggest stars, it also means that BMW have lost their main rider and first World Superbike Champion.
There is set to be a big shuffle on the World Superbike grid for the 2026 season, but who would BMW realistically chase to replace the two-time World Champion?
Alvaro Bautista:
With one two-time World Superbike Champion on the way out of BMW, another two-time World Superbike Champion could make his way in.
It has been reported that Alvaro Bautista and Ducati will part ways at the end of the 2025 season. The Spaniard has expressed interest in riding in the World Superbike Championship in 2026, but now needs a new team.
Bautista has been in World Superbikes for the last seven years, and after five years with Ducati and two with Honda, the 40-year-old looks set to start a new journey with a new manufacturer.
During his time in the World Superbike Championship, Bautista has won 63 races and featured on 53 further podiums.
Despite his recent drop in form with Ducati during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, a switch to BMW could benefit the German manufacturer and the veteran rider.
Andrea Iannone:
After two years in the World Superbike Championship, Andrea Iannone is on the search for a factory World Superbike ride.
At the end of the 2024 season, there had been rumours connecting Iannone and BMW for the 2025 season. However, no deal was ever struck between the German manufacturer and the Italian rider.
Iannone has recently suggested that he would retire from racing if his demands for a factory ride are not met for the 2026 season.
The 35-year-old has only ever ridden a Ducati Panigale V4 R and ideally wants to ride for the factory Aruba.it Racing - Ducati squad. But renewed interest from the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team could pull the Italian away from the Ducati family.
Jack Miller:
It is known that Jack Miller has a one-year deal with the Prima Pramac Racing Yamaha squad that will expire at the end of the 2025 MotoGP World Championship.
There have been suggestions that Miller could remain in the Italian squad and partner Razgatlioglu in 2026. However, it has also been reported that the Australian rider has received offers from the World Superbike Championship.
Throughout the last few seasons, there have been rumours of Miller moving to World Superbikes with Ducati. However, this year, the Italian manufacturer has not been suggested.
Instead of Ducati, it is rumoured that Honda and Yamaha have approached Miller regarding a ride for the 2026 season. But if the 30-year-old is attracting attention from the World Superbike paddock, BMW could become a realistic landing spot for the four-time MotoGP race winner.
Iker Lecuona:
The future of Team HRC rider Iker Lecuona is unknown, as it appears he could be on his way out of the factory Honda squad.
Lecuona has been in the World Superbike Championship for the last four seasons with the Japanese manufacturer. During this time, he has achieved two podiums on the CBR1000RR-R and has a best Championship finish of ninth.
The Spaniard has struggled with injury issues during his career, but in recent rounds has featured inside the top ten on a regular basis.
Despite sitting ninth in the standings in the 2025 World Superbike Championship, the 25-year-old has shown promising form and could be an outside option for BMW.
