WorldSBK 2026
Spherical One – Phillip Island
Superbike Rider Reflections
Nicolo Bulega – 62 factors (P1)
“It was an incredible weekend. Actually, it was unimaginable. The Superpole Race this morning was a bit difficult as a result of it began to rain and we have been on slick tyres. I needed to be very cautious however we received and I actually loved the race. I used to be a bit offended earlier than Race 2 as a result of I knew I had an excellent feeling and powerful tempo within the dry however it began to rain. I attempted to show that frustration into optimistic vitality to win within the moist as effectively. I began effectively and had a superb feeling from the beginning. The monitor turned fairly slippery however I managed to win once more. I’m actually comfortable.”
Axel Bassani – 42 factors (P2)
“That is my most profitable weekend in WorldSBK, 100%. I loved Race One so much yesterday as I used to be capable of do plenty of overtakes, however right this moment we have been capable of do what we wished to do. We’re second within the championship, however for me an important factor is to have a superb feeling with the bike and particularly contained in the workforce. At this second, it’s working, so we will proceed like this. As we speak, earlier than Race Two, I used to be not anticipating a race like this within the moist circumstances. In winter testing, I did just a few laps within the moist, however my feeling was probably not good. I couldn’t make extra days as a result of take a look at limitations, so in Portimao Xavi Fores made an excellent job, and with the workforce they discovered a pleasant base for moist circumstances. That was so helpful right this moment. So firstly of Race Two, I attempted to be clear, constant, and make no errors. Ultimately, this paid off. We completed with a double P2 right this moment, so we’re comfortable!”
Yari Montella – 26 factors (P3)
“It’s been a optimistic weekend. The work we began already in testing allowed us to be constantly quick. As we speak within the Superpole Race we had good tempo; we began robust, led the race for just a few laps and the sensation was good. It’s a pity for the slight slowdown for a few laps after I noticed some raindrops, I misplaced just a few positions and that value us the rostrum by a really small margin. Nonetheless, it was a efficiency I’m happy with. Race 2 was specific, with very troublesome circumstances. Sadly I crashed, an odd fall that’s occurring once more in moist circumstances with this bike and that we nonetheless can’t totally clarify. It wasn’t a driving mistake nor a workforce error, however we have to discover a setup that permits me to really feel extra assured within the moist. Now we preserve our heads down and proceed working on this path.”
Lorenzo Baldassarri – 25 factors (P4)
“As we speak, in some methods, motivated me much more than yesterday. The circumstances have been uncommon, the climate modified ceaselessly, and it rained closely in Race 2. I needed to handle all the things instantly within the race for the primary time, with none observe. I made just a few driving errors within the morning, however I didn’t know the way a lot I might push with the slicks within the moist, however we did it. In Race 2, I had an unimaginable tempo, catching up with my rivals fairly simply. It’s a disgrace I threw away a outcome firstly. The optimistic factor, nonetheless, is that I didn’t hand over, and we have been very quick. Right here at Phillip Island, I discovered a particular feeling with this bike, which I hope to convey to Europe as effectively. I need to thank the workforce, Ducati, and all of the folks with me for the outcomes achieved. I can’t wait to get again on the bike!”
Álvaro Bautista – 19 factors (P5)
“Within the morning we have been capable of attempt the digital adjustments we made yesterday and I instantly felt higher, with extra feeling on the bike. Within the Superpole Race we made a superb comeback from twelfth to seventh and, most significantly, we confirmed the progress in comparison with the exams and the remainder of the weekend. We’re working in the appropriate path and lap after lap my confidence is growing, which permits me to maintain pushing. In Race 2 the circumstances have been very troublesome. Within the first laps it was onerous to seek out reference factors due to the riders in entrance of me and the spray, however then I discovered my rhythm. I’m comfortable as a result of I at all times felt in management and had a superb tempo with out taking extreme dangers. On the finish, because the monitor began to dry, it turned harder to handle the rain tyres. After yesterday’s mistake it was vital to complete the race and doing it on the rostrum is a superb satisfaction for the entire workforce. It was a demanding weekend, our first collectively, however the workforce’s work has been distinctive and I’m assured for the following races.”
Iker Lecuona – 19 factors (P6)
“To be trustworthy, on the one hand, I’m a bit annoyed with how issues went in Race 2. From the primary few laps, the sensation with the rear wasn’t what I wished. Then again, I’m comfortable to have recovered positions and completed a weekend I take into account optimistic, having gained plenty of expertise. We’re doing an ideal job with the workforce, step-by-step, and I can’t wait to be in Portimão.”
Miguel Oliveira – 17 factors (P8)
“It was an eventful race however our progress is obvious. I’ve proven extra pace and I really feel higher with the bike. I’ve raced in all circumstances, with each a full moist and a full dry race. Ranging from the again of the grid made issues troublesome so we have to enhance our qualifying. I’m assured we will do this in Portimao. That can permit us to know our potential when beginning a lot additional up the grid. We will go to Portimao with our heads held excessive as a result of we’ve improved the bike. We even have two further days earlier than the race and I’m positive we will present much more competitiveness there.”
Danilo Petrucci – 16 factors (P10)
“Lastly, we had our first race weekend. We knew it might be robust due to not a lot testing this winter, so we primarily began to work on the bike final Monday in the course of the take a look at right here. I set my goal to be into the highest ten and we at all times achieved that. We’re aiming for extra however I will be comfortable. Particularly as a result of race two right this moment was actually troublesome with reference of visibility and the shortage of grip however we managed to remain as much as end in sixth place to attain a little bit of factors. I need to say that I really feel actually assured in regards to the future as a result of I‘m working very well with my workforce and my crew, so this makes me comfortable. I can‘t wait to trip the bike once more at Portimao.”
Alex Lowes – 16 factors (P11)
“The Superpole Race was good. Our base setting we had in Europe, that we discovered from the second half of final winter, I had been actually pleased with. However it has not been working right here. Between Saturday and Sunday we made most likely the most important change on the bike inside a race weekend. I used to be fairly pleased with the Superpole Race as a result of I used to be on a motorbike setting that I had roughly by no means ridden earlier than warm-up, for ten minutes. I believe I will be fairly optimistic going again to Europe. We began with a dry bike setting however moist tyres in Race Two, and I didn’t have any grip. I used to be up for it off the beginning, once more I had a superb begin, and practically led it on the primary lap. Then I realised that I couldn’t lean the bike like the opposite guys, so I began going backwards.”
Garrett Gerloff – 15 factors (P12)
“The climate was loopy on Sunday. In comparison with how we completed yesterday, I’m a lot extra pleased with how we completed right this moment. I’m pleased with our efficiency within the Superpole Race, primarily. I really feel like we made an enormous step with the bike basically. I used to be feeling actually good driving it, and in a superb place for Race Two. I attempted my greatest within the rain, and felt actually good initially. Then because the tempo dropped, and everyone began going sooner and sooner, I began having increasingly ‘moments’ on the bike. I attempted to maintain up however was not capable of. We obtained a high ten end, so we’ll take it for now. I’m actually wanting ahead to the following spherical in Portimao.”
Andrea Locatelli – 14 factors (P13)
“It was not a straightforward weekend for us for positive. The positions that we obtained, let me say are usually not sufficient as a result of we all know that we will do much more. We got here right here with the main target to attempt to be sooner and sooner, however for some causes we weren’t capable of do it. We have to preserve working onerous, however I need to be optimistic – right this moment, the challenges have been totally different and I attempted to do my greatest. I gave all the hassle from the start of the weekend, however we didn’t have sufficient confidence or pace. Luckily, right this moment within the moist, no less than I used to be capable of enhance to fifth place. That is what we obtained from this weekend, for positive we misplaced many factors, however the championship shouldn’t be completed – it’s solely the primary race and I need to keep optimistic. Now, now we have Portimão the place we have been on the rostrum final 12 months after which we received in Assen – so we have to preserve wanting ahead, push onerous and get again to our normal stage.”
Tetsuta Nagashima – 7 factors (P15)
“As we speak was a problem, particularly as a result of it was the primary time this weekend that we confronted moist circumstances, so it wasn’t straightforward for me to seek out the appropriate feeling right away. On high of that, the circumstances have been altering consistently in the course of the day, and we didn’t have a lot information for this case, so we tried to method the setup within the smartest and calmest approach attainable. After a demanding Superpole race, I’ve to say that the general feeling with the bike in Race 2 was by no means dangerous. There have been just a few areas the place I felt uncomfortable as a result of quantity of water on monitor, however that’s fairly regular in these circumstances. My begin was actually dangerous. There was plenty of spray via the primary nook, and I might barely see the entrance. I dropped to final place halfway via the opening lap, however I attempted to remain calm and discover my rhythm once more. Step-by-step, I managed to move just a few riders. My tempo was not wonderful, however not too dangerous both and I really feel there’s nonetheless some margin – that’s vital for me. The important thing factor right this moment was to keep away from errors. It was crucial to complete the race with out crashing and with out pushing like loopy. I attempted to handle the race and acquire as a lot helpful information as attainable for the long run. Wanting on the entire weekend, I actually loved working with the workforce. They’re pushing onerous and we’re enhancing step-by-step. We are going to proceed working collectively to take one other step ahead within the subsequent races.”
Remy Gardner – 3 factors (P16)
“It’s been a tricky weekend, actually, however we will nonetheless take some positives. We made progress total, and I used to be capable of trip regardless of the harm, which is vital. I’m comfortable to have completed the races and gathered precious information. Now we head again to Europe, the place we’ll return to the tyres we’re extra aware of. We even have a take a look at in Portimão earlier than the race, so hopefully we will discover extra pace, regroup, and are available again stronger.”
Stefano Manzi – 2 factors (P17)
“It was a loopy Sunday as a result of altering climate circumstances, even from the morning. Fortunately, we have been capable of full some dry laps in Heat Up after which race in dry circumstances within the Superpole Race. The sensation improved so much in comparison with yesterday, and I actually loved the battles. Sadly, Race 2 was way more troublesome. I felt assured going into the moist race after our take a look at in Jerez, however the feeling wasn’t there, and I couldn’t trip the way in which I wished. We’ll preserve working to enhance and, again in Europe, I hope we will make a step ahead.
Xavi Vierge
“So, even when it’s been so troublesome, we have to take the positives – I believe the job we did in getting ready for the race weekend has been good, we have been quick, we discovered a superb set-up for me to use the strongest factors of my driving type and likewise of the R1. Sadly, within the races, we didn’t get the outcomes that we anticipated, however as I say – we attempt to take the positives. Additionally, I had a large 250km/h crash yesterday and bodily, I’m excellent – so we must be tremendous pleased with that! In Race 2, I attempted to seek out confidence within the moist, however I by no means had a superb feeling on the rear. After I overtook just a few riders, I attempted to go ahead as a result of I had a superb tempo and sadly, I misplaced the rear on the exit of Flip 2, so I’m sorry to the workforce for this error. Fortunately very quickly we’re again on the bike for 2 days testing at Portimão and I hope to recuperate the nice emotions and to imagine strongly that we go in the appropriate path once more.”
Marco Barnabò – Barni Racing Workforce Workforce Principal
“We arrived in Australia with a totally new bike, with out having accomplished a lot testing and with a brand new rider within the workforce. Regardless of that, we managed to convey each riders onto the rostrum, which provides nice worth to the work accomplished. I’m sorry for Montella’s crash in Race 2, he deserved the rostrum, however within the moist the circumstances have been actually vital and it solely took little or no to make a mistake. The vital factor is that we have been quick and aggressive from the beginning, additionally with Álvaro. In a short while we discovered a base setup that he likes and from which we will proceed enhancing. I need to thank the riders and all of the workforce members, who labored onerous and effectively all through the weekend. Thanks additionally to our sponsors who assist us and permit us to be aggressive at this stage.”
Paul Denning – Pata Maxus Yamaha Workforce Principal
“Phillip Island in 2025 was a very difficult occasion, however sadly this 12 months’s has been much more so! Xavi has discovered such a superb rhythm and feeling with the R1 WorldSBK already, so we had excessive hopes going into the races – following a robust qualifying – that he would be capable to capitalise on that potential. The large Race 1 accident was extraordinarily unlucky – after which, a technical difficulty with the freshly-rebuilt bike value him the prospect to compete within the Superpole Race right this moment. A scarcity of rear grip and the crash this afternoon within the rain solely rounded-off a very unfortunate first occasion, however wanting previous all of that – what we’ve seen to this point offers us plenty of hope for the long run with Pata Maxus Yamaha. He’s bodily advantageous regardless of the 2 accidents and we’re wanting ahead to him exhibiting what all of us imagine he’ll be able to. Loka’s identified the R1 for a few years now and has at all times been quick wherever we go, however in actuality this was his most troublesome occasion since becoming a member of the workforce in 2021. A optimistic was that he pushed actually onerous within the early laps of the moist Race 2 to go from fifteenth on the grid all the way in which as much as fifth place, which confirmed that his willpower hasn’t been dampened in any respect. General, by no means what we hoped for this weekend at Phillip Island. Clearly there are numerous frustrations, as a result of the outcomes don’t actually mirror the capabilities of the R1 WorldSBK, as now we have been extra aggressive right here in earlier years. Along with Yamaha, we have to be certain that the problems confronted listed here are solved and that we once more maximise our potential, forward of the European marketing campaign which kicks off with the Portimao take a look at in March.”
WorldSBK Race Two Outcomes
 |
||||
|
Pos |
Rider | Bike | Time/Hole | Pace |
|
1 |
N. Bulega |
Duc |
37m21.038 |
312.7 |
|
2 |
A. Bassani |
Bim |
+11.336 |
301.3 |
|
3 |
A. Bautista |
Duc |
+17.790 |
312.7 |
|
4 |
T. Mackenzie |
Duc |
+28.356 |
309.1 |
|
5 |
A. Locatelli |
Yam |
+30.966 |
306.5 |
|
6 |
D. Petrucci |
BMW |
+31.901 |
306.5 |
|
7 |
M. Oliveira |
BMW |
+32.135 |
306.5 |
|
8 |
I. Lecuona |
Duc |
+32.608 |
303.9 |
|
9 |
L. Baldassarri |
Duc |
+33.241 |
299.7 |
|
10 |
G. Gerloff |
Kaw |
+48.734 |
301.3 |
|
11 |
T. Nagashima |
Hon |
+52.224 |
302.2 |
|
12 |
A. Surra |
Duc |
+58.908 |
300.5 |
|
13 |
R. Gardner |
Yam |
+1’06.503 |
299.7 |
|
14 |
S. Manzi |
Yam |
+1’33.080 |
298.0 |
|
15 |
B. Sofuoglu |
Yam |
+1’40.750 |
298.8 |
|
RET |
A. Lowes |
Bim |
4 Laps |
304.7 |
|
RET |
Y. Montella |
Duc |
7 Laps |
310.9 |
|
RET |
X. Vierge |
Yam |
10 Laps |
307.3 |
|
RET |
S. Lowes |
Duc |
15 Laps |
304.7 |
|
RET |
R. Vickers |
Hon |
15 Laps |
290.0 |
|
RET |
M. Rato |
Yam |
22 Laps |
238.8 |
WorldSBK Superpole Race Outcomes
|
|||
|
Pos |
RIder |
Bike |
Time/Hole |
|
1 |
N. Bulega |
Duc |
14m56.175 |
|
2 |
A. Bassani |
Bim |
+2.752 |
|
3 |
A. Lowes |
Bim |
+3.563 |
|
4 |
Y. Montella |
Duc |
+3.585 |
|
5 |
S. Lowes |
Duc |
+3.985 |
|
6 |
G. Gerloff |
Kaw |
+4.250 |
|
7 |
A. Bautista |
Duc |
+5.118 |
|
8 |
L. Baldassarri |
Duc |
+8.178 |
|
9 |
I. Lecuona |
Duc |
+9.291 |
|
10 |
D. Petrucci |
BMW |
+9.512 |
|
11 |
T. Mackenzie |
Duc |
+9.893 |
|
12 |
A. Surra |
Duc |
+11.264 |
|
13 |
S. Manzi |
Yam |
+14.366 |
|
14 |
A. Locatelli |
Yam |
+14.565 |
|
15 |
R. Vickers |
Hon |
+14.887 |
|
16 |
R. Gardner |
Yam |
+15.151 |
|
17 |
T. Nagashima |
Hon |
+19.065 |
|
18 |
M. Oliveira |
BMW |
+19.207 |
|
19 |
B. Sofuoglu |
Yam |
+22.042 |
|
20 |
M. Rato |
Yam |
+29.157 |
WorldSBK Championship Factors
|
|
||
|
Pos |
Rider | Factors |
|
1 |
N. Bulega |
62 |
|
2 |
A. Bassani |
42 |
|
3 |
Y. Montella |
26 |
|
4 |
L. Baldassarri |
25 |
|
5 |
A. Bautista |
19 |
|
6 |
I. Lecuona |
19 |
|
7 |
T. Mackenzie |
17 |
|
8 |
M. Oliveira |
17 |
|
9 |
S. Lowes |
16 |
|
10 |
D. Petrucci |
16 |
|
11 |
A. Lowes |
16 |
|
12 |
G. Gerloff |
15 |
|
13 |
A. Locatelli |
14 |
|
14 |
A. Surra |
11 |
|
15 |
T. Nagashima |
7 |
|
16 |
R. Gardner |
3 |
|
17 |
S. Manzi |
2 |
|
18 |
B. Sofuoglu |
1 |
|
19 |
R. Vickers |
1 |
2026 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship calendar
|
|||||
|
……Date……. |
Nation |
Circuit |
WorldSBK |
WorldSSP |
WorldSPB |
|
20-22 Feb |
AUS |
Phillip Island GP |
X |
X |
|
|
27-29 Mar |
POR |
Algarve Int’l |
X |
X |
X |
|
17-19 Apr |
NED |
TT Assen |
X |
X |
X |
|
1-3 Might |
HUN |
Balaton Park |
X |
X |
|
|
15-17 Might |
CZE |
Most |
X |
X |
X |
|
29-31 Might |
ESP |
MotorLand Aragon |
X |
X |
X |
|
12-14 Jun |
ITA |
Misano – Marco Simoncelli |
X |
X |
X |
|
10-12 Jul |
UK |
Donington Park |
X |
X |
|
|
4-6 Sep |
FRA |
Nevers Magny-Cours |
X |
X |
X |
|
25-27 Sep |
ITA |
Cremona |
X |
X |
X |
|
Sept. 11 Oct |
POR |
Estoril |
X |
X |
|
|
16-18 Oct |
ESP |
Jerez – Angel Nieto* |
X |
X |
X |
2026 World Superbike Championship Entry Listing
|
||
|
Rider |
Bike |
Workforce |
|
I.Lecuona |
Duc |
Aruba.It Ducati |
|
N.Bulega |
Duc |
Aruba.It Ducati |
|
D.Petrucci |
BMW |
ROKiT BMW Motorrad |
|
M.Oliveira |
BMW |
ROKiT BMW Motorrad |
|
A.Locatelli |
Yam |
Pata Maxus Yamaha |
|
X.Vierge |
Yam |
Pata Maxus Yamaha |
|
Y.Montella |
Duc |
Barni Spark |
|
A.Bautista |
Duc |
Barni Spark |
|
A.Lowes |
Bim |
bimota by Kawasaki |
|
A.Bassani |
Bim |
bimota by Kawasaki |
|
S.Chantra |
Hon |
Honda HRC |
|
J.Dixon |
Hon |
Honda HRC |
|
S.Manzi |
Yam |
GYTR GRT Yamaha |
|
R.Gardner |
Yam |
GYTR GRT Yamaha |
|
S.Lowes |
Duc |
ELF Marc VDS |
|
L.Baldassarri |
Duc |
Goeleven |
|
T.Mackenzie |
Duc |
MGM Racing |
|
G.Gerloff |
Kaw |
Kawasaki WorldSBK |
|
A.Surra |
Duc |
Motocorsa |
|
M.Rato |
Yam |
Motoxracing |
|
B.Sofuoglu |
Yam |
Motoxracing |
|
A.Iannone |
Duc |
Cainam Racing |
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