Final Words Before the 2026 Season Fires Into Life
The talking is done. With media day wrapped up at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, the 2026 Superbike World Championship season is poised to begin in earnest. The Australian Round traditionally delivers drama, and judging by the tone in the paddock on Thursday, this year should be no different.
From new beginnings and title ambitions to injury comebacks and adaptation challenges, here are the standout voices from media day.
Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
“I arrive in the best team in this Championship, the best factory with the best bike.”
Few riders sound as energised as Lecuona ahead of his first race weekend in red. After several injury-hit campaigns, the Spaniard views this Ducati opportunity as a defining chapter in his career.
He described the move as the biggest chance he’s ever had, praising both the team atmosphere and the technical package. According to Lecuona, the transition has felt natural—helped by what he calls a “big family” environment inside the Aruba garage, on both his side and that of teammate Nicolo Bulega.
More significantly, his mindset has changed. For the first time in his WorldSBK career, he feels he has equipment capable of fighting for the title. That belief brings calmness. During testing, he admitted he was riding below his absolute limit, focusing instead on understanding the bike’s behaviour and leaving margin to grow. With room still to unlock, Lecuona believes his ceiling is higher than what he has shown so far.
Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
“The bike is very, very good, but I need more time to understand it.”
Petrucci arrives in Australia carrying both confidence and nerves. Joining the reigning champions raises expectations immediately, and he is fully aware of that weight.
Switching back to an inline four-cylinder engine for the first time since his early MotoGP days is another adjustment. He describes the BMW as stable with smooth power delivery, but Phillip Island’s flowing layout—light on heavy braking zones and heavy on long, high-speed corners—requires a different approach to maximise the package.
Petrucci’s outlook is pragmatic. He is not setting bold predictions but wants steady progress. His trajectory in WorldSBK has improved year on year, and the aim now is to continue climbing. A smile leaving Australia would be enough to signal the project is moving in the right direction.
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
“The swingarm now helps you to stop the bike better, and also the exit is less nervous.”
Bulega returns to a circuit that holds special meaning for him. Past success in Supersport, his maiden WorldSBK victory, and last season’s treble make Phillip Island a confidence circuit.
However, he stresses that the Panigale V4 R is effectively a new machine. Winter weather limited meaningful testing in Europe, so Australia has been the first proper chance to dig into the bike’s behaviour. While there are areas he immediately appreciates—particularly the revised swingarm improving stability under braking and calming acceleration—there are still aspects that require understanding.
He expects a tightly packed field this weekend, predicting a large group capable of fighting at the front. Internally, he is optimistic about working alongside Lecuona, believing their cooperation can strengthen Ducati’s title push.
Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
“We’ve seen the bike has a lot of potential but I’m not yet in the moment to get the best from it.”
For five-time MotoGP race winner Oliveira, the move to WorldSBK represents both a reset and a challenge. The Portuguese rider admits the BMW is significantly different from what he is used to, and extracting performance requires patience.
Testing at Phillip Island was crucial in accelerating his learning curve. While encouraged by the bike’s potential, he is realistic about where he stands. A top-five result would represent a strong and achievable goal for the opening weekend, while anything beyond that would exceed expectations at this stage of adaptation.
The priority remains simple: understanding, consistency, and enjoyment in a new paddock.
Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team)
“I won the title twice, but that is in the past; we’re now in the present and we have to write the future.”
Bautista’s move to a new team signals another fresh chapter for the double champion. He openly admits that testing time has felt short, particularly given the scale of adaptation required—not only to the bike but to new working relationships.
Phillip Island presents its own complexities. Settings that work here often do not translate elsewhere, making direction difficult to define. Bautista’s focus is therefore on building understanding rather than chasing immediate results.
He is clear-eyed about his legacy. Past championships provide pride, not guarantees. For Bautista, success in 2026 will come from rebuilding momentum step by step.
Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha)
“My adaptation to the bike has been super-fast.”
Vierge’s transition to Yamaha has been smoother than expected. Despite limited winter mileage due to weather interruptions, he feels comfortable quickly and believes the base performance level is solid.
Australia offers the first real reference point under race conditions. He is cautious about drawing conclusions too early but is encouraged by the starting position. With forecast heat and wind typical of Phillip Island, adaptability will be key—something Vierge feels ready for.
Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team)
“I adapted very well to the bike, but one thing is to adapt, and another is to go fast.”
Manzi’s debut WorldSBK weekend arrives after a difficult pre-season marked by crashes and limited dry running. The step from Supersport to Superbike is significant: more power, stronger braking forces, and added aerodynamic downforce all change the riding dynamic.
While he feels comfortable on the machine, he acknowledges that comfort alone does not equal competitiveness. Time and experience are now the priority. For Manzi, the learning curve is steep—but exciting.
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team)
“Between second and tenth place, any of the guys can be on the podium.”
Lowes believes the competitive window behind the clear favourite is razor-thin. After making tangible progress with the KB998 Rimini project last season, he senses another step forward this winter.
His objective is straightforward: maximise Friday’s sessions, refine the base setup, and position himself to fight for the podium. In his view, the depth of the field means opportunities will arise for anyone who strings together clean laps.
Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team)
“It’s been a tough winter to recover.”
Gardner’s winter was defined not by training gains but by recovery. A broken arm and dislocated shoulder in November limited preparation and reduced his physical readiness heading into testing.
Although he managed decent mileage in Australia, he admits he is not yet at full strength. The weekend will be about measured progress rather than outright results. Several technical items remain unexplored, including a swingarm configuration that failed to deliver expected improvements.
Still, Gardner remains characteristically upbeat—joking about keeping his new teammate behind him while he rebuilds fitness and form.
With the final press conferences complete and the anticipation building, the 2026 WorldSBK season stands on the brink of ignition. Words have set the tone. Now, under the vast Australian sky, it’s time for the lights to go out and the racing to begin.
