Thursday at the Circuito Estoril was packed with talking points as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship rolled into Portugal for Round 11 of the 2026 campaign. From title celebrations to homecoming hopes, future moves and honest reflections on seasons gone by, the riders and team leaders opened up ahead of track action. Here’s everything that mattered.
Miguel Oliveira — Home Round Feelings and Fresh Beginnings
It has been a long time coming, but Miguel Oliveira is back racing at Estoril — the track where he first learned his trade as a junior rider. The ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK rider hasn’t competed here since 2012, making this a genuine homecoming in more ways than one.
“It feels so good to be back. I grew up racing here, so this place holds some of my earliest and best memories. We came for a test day in August and the sensations were immediately right — the track is still as I remember it, in great condition, and it just felt like coming home.”
He admits the atmosphere will be busy and loud, but he’s far calmer than he was at Portimao earlier in the season:
“There will be a lot of people, it might get a little chaotic — but I’m much more relaxed this time. I take the weekend seriously, of course I do. I want to deliver a good result for the fans who’ve come out to support us.”
Nicolo Bulega — Champion’s Mindset: Celebrate Later, Win Now
Fresh from securing his first WorldSBK title at Cremona, Nicolo Bulega is still coming to terms with what he has achieved — but don’t expect him to ease off. The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider has barely paused for breath since sealing the crown, and his focus remains fixed on adding more silverware before the season is done.
“To be honest, I still don’t think I’ve fully realised what we’ve done. Since Cremona it’s been events, interviews, messages — I spent a whole week just replying to people! We’ve had small celebrations, but the truth is we haven’t really partied properly because the season isn’t over yet. That will come later.”
The goal for Estoril? Exactly the same as always:
“Every time I go out to race, my mindset is to win. Nothing changes just because we have the title. I want to finish this season as strongly as we started it.”
Danilo Petrucci — Uncertain Future, Enjoying the Moment
For Danilo Petrucci, these final two rounds could be his last in the championship. The popular Italian is weighing up options on both sides of the Atlantic, and while talks have taken place, nothing is set in stone.
“These might be my final races in WorldSBK, so I’m going to enjoy every minute. I’ve always liked Estoril — we tested here in August and it felt good. We’ve also been to Donington and Magny‑Cours to try things; those tests didn’t give us the results we wanted, but they gave us a starting point to build from.”
On what comes next, he’s honest:
“There’s been talk of staying here with another team — GoEleven have asked if I’m available — but nothing is decided. I’ve also been to the United States to see what opportunities are there. Right now I don’t have anything confirmed on paper, so I’m just taking it race by race and seeing what happens.”
Alvaro Bautista — Honest Reflections as He Looks to the Finish Line
It has been a tougher season than Alvaro Bautista expected at Barni Spark Racing Team, and the Spaniard didn’t shy away from the facts. He spoke openly about the challenges he has faced with the new bike and the uncertainty over what comes next.
“The feeling was getting better in the last round, but it hasn’t been the season any of us wanted. We’ve tried so hard — every time we started to make progress, something seemed to happen and we went backwards. We’ve achieved so much less than we set out to.”
He believes the bike is better suited to different physical characteristics, and that contributed to the struggle:
“This machine seems built more for taller riders with greater arm strength. It was a difficult combination, and eventually we agreed it was best to part ways. Right now I don’t have any offers that really excite me for next year — and I don’t want to just sign something for the sake of it. I want to enjoy these last two rounds, then take a break and decide what feels right.”
Xavi Vierge — Excited for the Future as Barni Move Confirmed
One rider who knows exactly where he’s going next is Xavi Vierge, who will join Barni Ducati for 2027. The Pata Maxus Yamaha rider is thrilled with the opportunity and sees it as the perfect next step in his career.
“I’m so excited — it’s a massive opportunity and it feels like the right moment. Barni have been one of the strongest independent teams for years, always fighting at the front. To be part of that is a dream.”
He’s also looking forward to working with Yari Montella:
“Yari has done an incredible job this season, so having him as a teammate will push me to be even better. Cremona was tough for us, but I believe these last two tracks suit our style — and Estoril is one I’ve always enjoyed.”
Iker Lecuona — Targeting Another Hat‑Trick
Fresh from a dominant weekend at Cremona where he took all three race wins, Iker Lecuona is hoping to keep the momentum going. He knows matching that performance will be hard — but he’s not ruling it out.
“Estoril is a track I’ve always gone well at — I stood on the podium here two years ago and I love the layout. We tried some new things at Cremona and they worked, so we’ll carry that forward. Nicolo will be lighter and under less pressure now he’s champion, so he’ll be even faster — that’s the challenge.”
On the prospect of another clean sweep:
“Doing it all again will be difficult — but nothing is impossible. We’ve shown we can match the pace, we can fight for the top step. Let’s see what the weekend brings.”
What’s Next
Track action gets underway shortly at Estoril. With titles, form and futures all on the line, every session counts. Don’t miss a moment.
