22 riders are to contest the 2026 WorldSBK championship, according to the provisional entry list released by the FIM today. Nicolo Bulega will start the championship as favorite, after finishing just 13 points behind departing champion Toprak Razgatlioglu. Bulega is to be partnered by Iker Lecuona, formerly of Honda.
Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira are to take up the challenge of replacing Razgatlioglu in the factory BMW team, while Andrea Locatelli stays at Pata Yamaha and is joined by Xavi Vierge, replacing the retiring Jonathan Rea.Â
Taking the place of Vierge and Lecuona at Honda are Moto2 contender Jake Dixon and Thailand’s Somkiat Chantra, brusquely removed from LCR Honda after struggling to adapt in MotoGP.
Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani return at Bimota, while Alex’ brother Sam continues at the MarcVDS team racing a Ducati. Garrett Gerloff also stays in WorldSBK racing the Kawasaki.
