WSBK 2026

[slopes]

The shift of riders has started already, rumour mill suggest Perucci has signed to replace Toprak at BMW

[CaiosH]

There has also been rumours for a while that Jonathan Rea will be on a Ducati...but no inclination of which team.

Álvaro Bautista to BMW or retirement?

[Freakuk]

CaiosH said:

There has also been rumours for a while that Jonathan Rea will be on a Ducati...but no inclination of which team.

Álvaro Bautista to BMW or retirement?

Rea looks to be moving to Barni Ducati - I assume replacing Petrucci.

I keep seeing Jake Dixon to HRC in WSBK, but nothing confirmed.

[John D.]

Stefano Manzi is coming up from WSS on to a R1 I believe. Can't remember which team. Expect he will replace Aegerter.

[slopes]

John D. said:

Stefano Manzi is coming up from WSS on to a R1 I believe. Can't remember which team. Expect he will replace Aegerter.

He is yes, that has already been confirmed i believe. Rumour is that Oncu could be inline for Rea's ride alongside Loca.
Rea is allegedly being considered for Iannone's ride as he is out but Petrucci's ride would be good as well.

[John D.]

Be good if Taz could pick up one or the vacant Ducati rides.

[slopes]

John D. said:

Be good if Taz could pick up one or the vacant Ducati rides.

Maybe if he does well then Bonovo might reconsider next year

[slopes]

Lecuona reportedly in talks with Barni Spark Ducati but also rumoured to be in talks with BMW to replace Van Der Mark which if true, would mean an entirely new line up for BMW.

[bergclimber34]

Remember Iannone touting himself for a GP ride eqarly this year, how that fell on its arse, the bloke really is Biaggi like in his own narcissism. Hope he never goes anywhere near top level bike racing again, he was never welcome back in my book

[Rob 131 Sport]

Freakuk said:

CaiosH said:

There has also been rumours for a while that Jonathan Rea will be on a Ducati...but no inclination of which team.

Álvaro Bautista to BMW or retirement?

Rea looks to be moving to Barni Ducati - I assume replacing Petrucci.

I keep seeing Jake Dixon to HRC in WSBK, but nothing confirmed.

It will be a shame if Jake leaves GP’s as I genuinely thought he had a title in him, and if he moved into MOTO GP some race wins.
However in WSBK on the right bike he would be a title contender.

[rodericb]

bergclimber34 said:

Remember Iannone touting himself for a GP ride eqarly this year, how that fell on its arse, the bloke really is Biaggi like in his own narcissism. Hope he never goes anywhere near top level bike racing again, he was never welcome back in my book

Yeah, it helps to be confident in life but there's maybe a bit of you don't know what you don't know there. He had a few years off to boot and that's a chunky time away. Look at last years MotoGP world champion who has four months off and how it impacted him (and he readily admits he has to come back up to speed). The days of doing a Bayliss are long gone.....


But anyway, it looks like 2026 is going to be quite the reset with all those rider changes. Ducati will have the new Panigale, Toprak will be gone....

[slopes]

rodericb said:

bergclimber34 said:

Remember Iannone touting himself for a GP ride eqarly this year, how that fell on its arse, the bloke really is Biaggi like in his own narcissism. Hope he never goes anywhere near top level bike racing again, he was never welcome back in my book

Yeah, it helps to be confident in life but there's maybe a bit of you don't know what you don't know there. He had a few years off to boot and that's a chunky time away. Look at last years MotoGP world champion who has four months off and how it impacted him (and he readily admits he has to come back up to speed). The days of doing a Bayliss are long gone.....


But anyway, it looks like 2026 is going to be quite the reset with all those rider changes. Ducati will have the new Panigale, Toprak will be gone....

Could be one of the best seasons for some time depending upon what Bautista does and if Aaron Canet and Jake Dixon move across from Moto 2 as rumoured.

[slopes]

Rumour is that anyone wanting to take Iannone’s place will need deep pockets, the figure being bandied about is the team expect you to bring €800,000 to the team

[slopes]

Petrucci confirmed at BMW for 2026

[PorkInsider]

slopes said:

Petrucci confirmed at BMW for 2026

Interesting!

[slopes]

Paddock rumour from the MotoGP reporter Jack Appleyard is that Jake Dixon to Honda in WSB is a done deal, with the suggestion that Lecuona will be the rider on the way out.
Petrucci and Pirro have urged Barni Spark to sign him which if it happens, is one day for Rea closed as the rumour was he was desperately chasing that seat.

[bergclimber34]

Not sure why Honda would keep Vierge over Iker, maybe money or crashing budget? Not much between them but Iker seems to be the one pushing it more and is a lot younger, unless he wants out of course

[stevemcs]

slopes said:

Petrucci confirmed at BMW for 2026

I take it bmw doesn’t want any more championships

[bergclimber34]

Let's be fair, they were never that close before Toprak despite having some decent riders

[John D.]

Was thinking similar, but it's great that Petrucci has a factory ride. Something he hasn't had before - we might see a step with that you never know.

Talk of Rea getting his old seat at Barni Ducati.