BSB - 2026

[slopes]

As 2025 has come to an end, we can start to look forward to 2026.
Riders confirmed so far
PBM - Redding
Nitrous OMG - Ryde and G Irwin
Raceways Yamaha - Ray
Sencat yamaha - Iddon
DAO Honda - Jackson & Brookes
Honda UK Vickers and O Halloran
Superbike Advocates - Bridewell
TAG Honda - Rogers & Nesbitt
FS3 Bimota - Max Cook & Joe Talbot

A few things spring to mind for next season
Bridewell reckoned that Honda had taken the package as far as they could this season, so it will be interesting to see if Vickers can do any better with the bike and whilst i make no secret of the fact i'm a TB fan, i'm also not blind and it makes for an interesting question if Vickers is regularly at the front/winning races. Is it him that makes the difference or have Honda found something? Be interesting to see.
Also, can't help thinking this might be a jump too far for Ryde with Nitrous OMG moving to Ducati, i know it's THE bike at World level but at BSB level? I'm not so sure and he's had all of his success so far on the Yamaha so is this a step in the wrong direction?

If the teams running Ducati's can get them up to speed fast, then next season could well be the Ducati Cup what with Redding, Ryde, Irwin, Haslam, Bridewell and potentially Skinner if TAS stay with the Ducati, all fighting at the front.

With the news that O Halloran is coming back and joining Honda, that will be a very strong pairing IF they can make the Honda work with the control tyre.

Edited by slopes on Wednesday 12th November 09:40

Edited by slopes on Wednesday 12th November 09:41

Edited by slopes on Wednesday 12th November 09:42

Edited by slopes on Thursday 13th November 09:10

[John D.]

I'm expecting the change of tyre compound to favour Honda. It's going back to the same/similar to 2024 I believe, when they were really competitive.

Really pleased to see O'Halloran back too. Didn't expect that.

[slopes]

Oooooh Bridewell might well regret binning Honda off it that is the case, the 2024 Honda was a beast and if not for his off at Oulton he would have won the title on that bike.
Add Vickers and O Show on it and i expect them to be serious front runners.
Shaping up to be a massive season.

Edited by slopes on Wednesday 12th November 17:11

[PorkInsider]

slopes said:

Oooooh Bridewell might well regret binning Honda off it that is the case, the 2024 Honda was a beast and if not for his off at Oulton he would have won the title on that bike.

If Ryde didn't have his off at the first visit to Oulton that season, he'd have beaten Bridewell by more points.

[slopes]

PorkInsider said:

slopes said:

Oooooh Bridewell might well regret binning Honda off it that is the case, the 2024 Honda was a beast and if not for his off at Oulton he would have won the title on that bike.

If Ryde didn't have his off at the first visit to Oulton that season, he'd have beaten Bridewell by more points.

True but Bridewell caught him up over the season as he had more issues during the year than Ryde did but it's all semantics, Ryde won the title...just....and went on to win again this year. I still say the battle with Tommy made Kyle the rider he is these last two years, before 2024 he was good but just lacked that last little bit, the battle with Tommy pushed him over the line and he is now arguably the man to beat as evidenced by his campaign this year.

[Mr Tidy]

It's looking interesting so far, although I hope Skinner can find a ride. Moving to GP2 definitely turned out to be a bad idea!

No mention of BMW that I can see. I wonder if Hicky and Davey Todd will be back?

[2ndclasscitizen]

Have to assume O'Halloran in BSB is part of an EWC campaign.

[John D.]

Mr Tidy said:

It's looking interesting so far, although I hope Skinner can find a ride. Moving to GP2 definitely turned out to be a bad idea!

Skinner will be with TAS on a Yamaha most likely. Doesn't look like that's confirmed officially.

[slopes]

2ndclasscitizen said:

Have to assume O'Halloran in BSB is part of an EWC campaign.

Not according to the press release, his statement was that he achieved his main goal - to be world champion - now he wants to add a BSB title to that list.

Yes i suspect Skinner will stay with TAS but i think going from the Ducati to the R1 could be a backwards step. No word on what Hawk are doing yet but i think Nesbitt is moving on and McPhee hardly had a stellar season last year.

[Tam_Mullen]

slopes said:

Not according to the press release, his statement was that he achieved his main goal - to be world champion - now he wants to add a BSB title to that list.

Yes i suspect Skinner will stay with TAS but I think going from the Ducati to the R1 could be a backwards step. No word on what Hawk are doing yet but i think Nesbitt is moving on and McPhee hardly had a stellar season last year.

I'm a big McPhee fan so likely make more excuses for him than warranted, but he had a lot of learning to do last season. I know its not like he jumped on to the superbike after coming off the moto3, he did have some time in WSSP in between but he still had to learn the bike, electronics (or lack of, he used to train on a stock R1) the tyres, the majority of the tracks. It will have been a big learning curve. I don't think he will ever be a BSB champ but I'd like to think if he stuck with Hawk on the Honda he would be into the top 10 and closing in on the group at the front.

[Alex9]

Tam_Mullen said:

I'm a big McPhee fan so likely make more excuses for him than warranted, but he had a lot of learning to do last season. I know its not like he jumped on to the superbike after coming off the moto3, he did have some time in WSSP in between but he still had to learn the bike, electronics (or lack of, he used to train on a stock R1) the tyres, the majority of the tracks. It will have been a big learning curve. I don't think he will ever be a BSB champ but I'd like to think if he stuck with Hawk on the Honda he would be into the top 10 and closing in on the group at the front.

Agreed, I'll give him another season before making my mind up.

I hope 8ten can get a setup that works this year too, Davey and Hicky are good riders and it would be good to see them fighting towards the front. P1 and P2 in practice at Macau so far...

[PorkInsider]

slopes said:

PorkInsider said:

slopes said:

Oooooh Bridewell might well regret binning Honda off it that is the case, the 2024 Honda was a beast and if not for his off at Oulton he would have won the title on that bike.

If Ryde didn't have his off at the first visit to Oulton that season, he'd have beaten Bridewell by more points.

True but Bridewell caught him up over the season as he had more issues during the year than Ryde did but it's all semantics, Ryde won the title...just....and went on to win again this year. I still say the battle with Tommy made Kyle the rider he is these last two years, before 2024 he was good but just lacked that last little bit, the battle with Tommy pushed him over the line and he is now arguably the man to beat as evidenced by his campaign this year.

I know you're a TB fan but I think you're giving him far too much credit; he's not even in the same league as Ray, Ryde, Redding, et al, in my opinion.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree

Edited by PorkInsider on Thursday 13th November 17:36

[slopes]

PorkInsider said:

slopes said:

PorkInsider said:

slopes said:

Oooooh Bridewell might well regret binning Honda off it that is the case, the 2024 Honda was a beast and if not for his off at Oulton he would have won the title on that bike.

If Ryde didn't have his off at the first visit to Oulton that season, he'd have beaten Bridewell by more points.

True but Bridewell caught him up over the season as he had more issues during the year than Ryde did but it's all semantics, Ryde won the title...just....and went on to win again this year. I still say the battle with Tommy made Kyle the rider he is these last two years, before 2024 he was good but just lacked that last little bit, the battle with Tommy pushed him over the line and he is now arguably the man to beat as evidenced by his campaign this year.

I know you're a TB fan but I think you're giving him far too much credit; he's not even in the same league as Ray, Ryde, Reading, et al, in my opinion.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree

Not at all,his first year on the Honda was outrageous, he didn't get the best start and hauled himself into title contention. But last year he couldn't make the tyre work on the Honda even though some could.
I might be a fan but i'm not blind, when he is on his game he is as good as anyone but he has to have everything just so, otherwise he is in the fight but inconsistent, whereas last year and especially this year,Ryde has been Mr Consistent and that is why he is a double BSB Champion and Tommy isn't.

[slopes]

Nesbitt confirmed at TAG Honda for 2026

[TwinKam]

@ Mr Slopes
Your account doesn't allow email.
Can you mail me please, cheers.

[CaiosH]

slopes said:

If the teams running Ducati's can get them up to speed fast, then next season could well be the Ducati Cup what with Redding, Ryde, Irwin, Haslam, Bridewell and potentially Skinner if TAS stay with the Ducati, all fighting at the front.

Going to be interesting season, a lot of talented riders. But will the new Ducati absolutely run away with it.....in BSB & WSBK

I’m interested in the Bimota. In WSBK and according to Alex Lowes it’s a bike that handles incredibly well, but lacks a little bit of power vs the Ducati. Could it be well suited to BSB tracks?

[slopes]

I think so yes, i think the handling of the bike will allow the riders to give it everything

TwinKam - i have emailed you as requested

[Mr Tidy]

Alex9 said:

I hope 8ten can get a setup that works this year too, Davey and Hicky are good riders and it would be good to see them fighting towards the front. P1 and P2 in practice at Macau so far...

That's great news!

I hope they stay in BSB, even if they don't seem to be as quick on circuits as on roads.

[slopes]

One wonders if Hawk are going to carry out the rumoured switch back to Suzuki and that is why Spud Nesbitt has moved across to Tag Honda. Clearly he likes the Honda and has gone really well on it, so if the Hawk team are looking to move to a different make, it would make sense for him to stay on the bike he knows and likes.

Soon find out i guess

[Opapayer]

CaiosH said:

Going to be interesting season, a lot of talented riders. But will the new Ducati absolutely run away with it.....in BSB & WSBK

I m interested in the Bimota. In WSBK and according to Alex Lowes it s a bike that handles incredibly well, but lacks a little bit of power vs the Ducati. Could it be well suited to BSB tracks?

I don’t think it’s a given that the handling will transfer directly from WSBK. The electronics allowed in WSBK are very different to BSB. Could go either way.