The Circuito Estoril witnessed a milestone moment on Saturday as Albert Arenas officially secured the 2026 FIM Supersport World Championship title. In doing so, the Spaniard entered the record books — becoming only the second rider in history, after Sandro Cortese, to claim world titles in both Moto3™ and WorldSSP. It is his second championship crown, six years after he topped the Moto3™ standings in 2020.
A Historic Double — Joining an Exclusive Club
Arenas’ achievement places him in truly distinguished company. Beyond matching Cortese’s feat of winning championships in both classes, he has also joined a select group of riders who have claimed the WorldSSP crown in their very first season in the category — and straight after competing in Moto2™. That list includes:
- Sandro Cortese — 2018
- Andrea Locatelli — 2020
- Dominique Aegerter — 2021
- Albert Arenas — 2026
It is a rare and remarkable transition, one that speaks volumes about his adaptability, racecraft and speed across different machinery.
The Road to the Title — From Phillip Island to Portugal
Arenas wasted no time making his mark on the class. He moved into the championship lead at the very opening round of the season, securing his maiden WorldSSP victory in Race 2 at Phillip Island. The title fight was closely contested throughout the early months — Jaume Masia briefly held top spot — but Arenas reclaimed the initiative at the Hungarian round and never looked back.
Consistency was the bedrock of his success. Across the campaign he has recorded 3 race wins and an extraordinary 16 podium finishes from the opening events. By the time the paddock arrived in Portugal, his advantage stood at a commanding 86 points — enough to seal the championship with three races still remaining on the calendar. He enters the final stretch with an extended lead of 89 points over his closest rival, Valentin Debise.
From Moto3 Glory to WorldSSP Success — The Journey
Arenas’ path to this moment spans more than a decade of international competition. He first stepped onto the global stage in 2011, working his way up through the European Moto3™ series before graduating to the world championship. Over five seasons in the lightweight class, he scored 4 wins and 8 podiums, culminating in his first world title in 2020.
He then moved up to Moto2™, spending five seasons in the intermediate category. For 2026, he made the switch to WorldSSP — a new challenge on production‑based machinery — and immediately found his rhythm again. The results were instant, the consistency unshakeable, and by Estoril, the title was his.
In His Own Words
“It has been super special to come here, start from Race 1, get the first victory, then fight for the championship lead and be able to be so consistent. It feels so good and so special to give this title to my team. They did an incredible job throughout the whole season, and it’s amazing to see the hard work they’ve put in — also for Yamaha. I’m super happy about the achievement and, of course, we have three more races and we’ll focus 100% on trying to deliver more performance. But it’s been a really nice championship.”
Albert Arenas — 2026 Championship Stats
| Race Wins | 3 |
| Podium Finishes | 16 |
| Pole Positions | 2 |
| Total Points So Far | 364 |
| Championship Lead | 89 pts |
| World Titles | 2 — 2020 Moto3™, 2026 WorldSSP |
What’s Next
The job isn’t finished. With the title secured, Arenas and the AS BLU CRU Racing Team will turn their attention to the remaining three rounds — aiming to add more wins and podiums to their tally before the season draws to a close. The next race weekend awaits, and the new champion will be determined to show exactly why he has been the class of the field all year.
