The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has reconvened at the Circuit de Nevers Magny‑Cours, fresh from the summer break. Thursday’s press conference and paddock debriefs delivered plenty of talking points — from title ambitions and future contract announcements to injury updates and bold predictions for the final four rounds of the season. Here’s everything the riders had to say ahead of the Acerbis French Round.
Nicolo Bulega: Title Glory in Cremona the Preferred Target
Sitting comfortably atop the standings, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) arrived in France with one eye already on the championship decider. The Italian acknowledged that wrapping up the title this weekend would be a tall order, and admitted he would prefer to seal the crown at his home circuit of Cremona instead.
“Last year I wasn’t too bad here, but Toprak was very strong. This year we have a new bike, and I hope to make a step forward to be faster than last year — just as we have been in the recent races. I think winning the title here would be very difficult; I’d have to take a huge amount of points away from Iker. So if I had to choose, it would be very good to win the title in Cremona.
It doesn’t change my approach though — my mindset is always the same: I will be trying to win every time we go out. The good news regarding my future is that I have already made a decision, so I think we will be able to share that with you very soon.”
Danilo Petrucci: Mutual Decision to Part Ways with BMW
One of the biggest stories of the day came from Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), who confirmed that both he and BMW have agreed to go their separate ways at the end of the season. The Italian explained that the door remains open for a different role or championship together in the future, but he will not be racing a BMW in WorldSBK next year.
“It’s been a good break — quite long — but fortunately we were able to test twice, here at Magny‑Cours and at Estoril, so I didn’t forget how to ride! I enjoyed the time off, so it was actually a little hard to get back into the swing of things, but now it’s time to finish the season properly. The test here in early August was extremely hot, with track temperatures hitting 66°C. We tried plenty of setups but not many new parts. I hope it’s not quite as hot this weekend! I think this track should suit the bike well with all the heavy braking zones — let’s see what the test data tells us.
“We decided — both BMW and I — not to continue together in WorldSBK next season. It was a mutual decision. We both gave our absolute best, and that led us to the conclusion that we cannot continue together. We would both like to keep working together in some capacity or another, perhaps in a different role or championship, but it’s still too early to say for sure.”
Iker Lecuona: Eager to Fight Bulega and Hopes to Stay with Ducati
Second in the championship and Bulega’s closest challenger, Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) spoke warmly of his relationship with the team and hinted strongly that he would like to continue racing Ducati machinery in 2027. He also admitted that the arrival of his first child has changed his schedule and sleep patterns — but not his hunger for race wins.
“Both sides are very happy. I’ve joined an incredible family here. It’s been an incredible year, I’m really happy — so why not continue that relationship? We are currently second in the Championship. Realistically, I’m too far behind Nicolo to catch him now, so the goal for the rest of the season is to win races and fight with him whenever we can. Maybe next year will be different — we’ll have to be more careful to avoid mistakes. I’m a little tired to be honest, I’m not sleeping much at the moment with the baby! My summer was almost entirely training; I only took the week after Donington to enjoy time with my wife, family and our new arrival, and then I was straight back to work.”
Miguel Oliveira: Committed to BMW After New Deal
There was happier news from the BMW camp as Miguel Oliveira confirmed he has signed a new contract to stay with the German manufacturer. The Portuguese rider explained that despite a difficult mid‑season spell caused by injury, both parties felt there was still untapped potential in the package and deserved another chance to deliver on their promise.
“I’m very happy to have agreed this new deal to stay together. We’ve been working towards this for some time. One of the key reasons is that we genuinely believe there is still a lot of unreached potential in this bike. We had a very limited pre‑season, started well at Phillip Island, and then kicked off the European rounds with a triple podium at my home race. The injury I picked up at Balaton Park hit us hard — it happened right when the Championship was at its busiest, and that really hurt our momentum and consistency.
“Given everything we’ve been through, we both believed it was only fair to give each other a really good chance to continue together and see what we can achieve. Physically, everything is back to 100%. We also managed to get some track time in during the summer, so it wasn’t a complete break — which definitely helped.”
Alvaro Bautista: Fighting to Regain Confidence, Future Still Unclear
Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) admitted he is currently in a difficult spell, struggling to find consistent feeling on the bike despite his ankle injury having healed significantly over the summer. The former champion remains unsure of his plans for next season, but insists he is fully committed to turning his form around.
“I’ve worked hard on my ankle over the break — it wasn’t perfect after Donington, but it feels much better now. I have great memories of this circuit, though I’ve also had my share of trouble here too. It’s a track I’ve loved since I first came here in 2019; it’s unique because you get every type of corner imaginable. When the bike is working, it’s fantastic to ride. Right now though, we’re in a similar situation to where we were at the start of the season — struggling to find that sweet spot.
“It’s strange because sometimes the bike feels okay, but then we make a change and it gets worse. We have some new ideas we’ve been working on, so let’s see if we can get the feeling and confidence back. As for next year, I don’t have anything confirmed on the table just yet — my manager is working on it. I feel physically and mentally strong, I want to keep racing, but I need to be somewhere that gives me a competitive bike. These difficult moments are when you really see what you’re made of — it’s extra motivation to fix the small details and get back to the front.”
Yari Montella: Targeting Third Overall and Fighting the Top Two
Consistent points scorer Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) has set his sights on securing third place in the championship standings, and hopes to close the gap to the two Ducati factory riders in the remaining four rounds.
“The summer break was long, but really necessary. After several months of intense racing at a high level, you start to feel the pressure and fatigue build up. Now I feel rested, recharged, and ready to get back on track. As always, we have clear goals: to ride at our absolute best and finish the Championship in third place. We need to be smart — assess whether we have the pace to fight for podiums, or whether we should focus on consistent top fives. With only four rounds left, we also need to start thinking about the bigger picture and the championship standings. Personally, I’d also love to get closer to the front two — and maybe even challenge for a pole position before the season is out.”
Xavi Vierge: Multiple Options on the Table, Decision Coming Soon
Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) revealed he has several offers under consideration for 2027, with rumours swirling faster than he can confirm them. He confirmed he will remain in the WorldSBK paddock next year, with an announcement due shortly.
“Magny‑Cours has traditionally been a good track for me, and I think it suits our package well. The Yamaha was strong here last year, so we’ll be aiming to be as competitive as possible this weekend. Over these final four rounds, we have a real opportunity to consistently fight inside the top five — and when you’re up there, anything can happen.
“It’s been funny during the summer break — sometimes it feels like everyone else knows my future plans better than I do! There are several different options on the table that we are actively discussing, but nothing is signed yet. We will make a decision and announce it very soon. One thing I can confirm: I will definitely be staying in this paddock next season.”
Alberto Surra: Fit and Firing at One of His Favourite Tracks
Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) has been cleared to race after recovering from a shoulder injury, and arrives at Magny‑Cours full of confidence. He also confirmed he is close to agreeing a deal to remain with his current team.
“I’m fit and ready to go. My trainer and I worked extremely hard on my shoulder throughout the break, and I feel good. Magny‑Cours is honestly one of my favourite circuits on the calendar — I love the heavy braking zones. Last year I stood on the WorldSSP podium here with third place, which was a career highlight. It’s a demanding track, but myself and the team are working hard to deliver strong results. I’ve spoken with Motocorsa about next year, and it looks very likely that I’ll be staying — though nothing is fully confirmed just yet.”
Tarran Mackenzie: Ruled Out but Targets Cremona Return
There was disappointment for Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing), who has been forced to sit out the French round after doctors advised him his broken tibia has not healed sufficiently to risk racing. The Scot remains confident he will be back for Cremona.
“It’s really unfortunate that I can’t take part this weekend. I’ve worked incredibly hard since the crash and the surgery to get back as soon as possible, and I honestly feel like I’ve done everything I can. Unfortunately, there are still some finer details regarding the healing process that the doctors aren’t completely happy with, and that’s a risk we can’t take right now.
“The accident happened at the final corner at Donington — the bike pitched and landed hard, reacting viciously. It’s happened before but the bike always settled, this time it didn’t. I feel fit and strong enough to ride, but everything needs to be 100% right. I just need to stay calm, keep doing the rehab, and look towards Cremona for my return.”
Summary
As the paddock settles in for the French round, the picture is becoming clearer both on and off the track. Bulega is edging towards the title — likely at his home race in Cremona — while Lecuona chases race wins and a Ducati extension. Petrucci and BMW part ways, Oliveira stays put, Bautista fights to rediscover his form, and several riders have decisions to make before the season concludes. Four rounds remain — and everything is still to play for.
