Álvaro Bautista will leave Ducati’s factory World Superbike team to join the Barni Spark Racing Team for the 2026 season, officials confirmed on August 27, 2025. The move came after Ducati decided to replace Bautista in its factory lineup, with Bautista set to continue riding a Ducati Panigale V4 under Barni’s banner.
The move follows Ducati’s decision to replace Bautista in its factory World Superbike lineup with Iker Lecuona, according to reports from Motorsportweek and Sky Sport Italia dated August 26, 2025. Sources confirmed Multiple outlets, including Mundo Deportivo and Sky Sport Italia, reported Bautista would continue racing a Ducati Panigale V4 R with Barni, preserving his association with Ducati machinery despite the team change.
Ducati informed Bautista he was no longer part of the factory team’s plans, with WorldSBK’s official rider profile stating Bautista was “unable to keep his factory Ducati seat” and subsequently signed with the independent Barni Spark Racing Team for the 2026 season.
The agreement was reportedly finalized in late August 2025, with BikeSport News noting on August 22 that Bautista was “closing in on a new World Superbike deal” to remain on a Ducati Panigale V4 R with Barni. The timing allowed Bautista to potentially test the 2026-spec Panigale V4 R at the MotorLand Aragón test on August 25–26, as noted by BikeSport News and Paddock-GP. The 2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R is expected to be Bautista’s machine for the upcoming season, according to sources including Mundo Deportivo and WorldSBK’s official communications.
Ducati’s factory team restructuring, which led to Bautista’s departure, was linked to the promotion of fellow Spaniard Iker Lecuona, who is set to replace Bautista in the Aruba.it Racing factory squad, as reported by Sky Sport Italia and Motorsportweek. Paddock-GP also cited Ducati’s decision to not extend Bautista’s factory contract beyond 2025, consistent with earlier reports from Crash.net in June 2025 detailing the option structure that allowed Ducati to cancel the factory year for Bautista.
In a related development, SPEEDWEEK.com reported on August 23, 2026, that Xavi Vierge was “nearing” a ride with Barni Racing for the following season. Vierge, who was under contract with Pata Maxus Yamaha at the time, was linked to a Ducati seat within the Barni structure, aligning with the team’s use of Ducati Panigale V4 machinery. However, no official announcement regarding Vierge’s signing was available in the sources reviewed. This potential move suggests a continuation of Barni’s Ducati-powered presence in World Superbike beyond Bautista’s tenure.
Álvaro Bautista, a two-time World Superbike champion, has had multiple stints with Ducati, including his current factory ride. His transition to Barni Spark Racing Team marks a return to a satellite Ducati outfit, where he will continue competing aboard the latest Panigale V4 R. The Barni team has operated Ducati machinery in World Superbike for several seasons, providing a platform for riders outside the factory squad. Bautista’s move follows a broader trend of Ducati reshuffling its rider lineup ahead of the 2026 season.
The developments come amid ongoing preparations for the 2026 World Superbike season, with teams conducting tests and finalizing contracts in the late summer of 2025. Bautista’s potential participation in the Aragón test with Barni and the 2026-spec Panigale V4 R is indicative of the team’s intent to remain competitive. Meanwhile, the reported near-deal involving Xavi Vierge points to continued rider movements within the Ducati satellite teams, though confirmation is pending.
Records show Ducati’s factory team decisions and satellite team arrangements have significant implications for rider careers and team strategies in the World Superbike championship. Bautista’s shift to Barni and the possible arrival of Vierge underscore the dynamic nature of team compositions as the 2026 season approaches. Further official announcements are expected as teams finalize their lineups and prepare for upcoming race events.
Álvaro Bautista will leave Ducati’s factory World Superbike team to join the Barni Spark Racing Team for the 2026 season, officials confirmed on August 27, 2025. The move came after Ducati decided to replace Bautista in its factory lineup, with Bautista set to continue riding a Ducati Panigale V4 under Barni’s banner.
The move follows Ducati’s decision to replace Bautista in its factory World Superbike lineup with Iker Lecuona, according to reports from Motorsportweek and Sky Sport Italia dated August 26, 2025. Sources confirmed Multiple outlets, including Mundo Deportivo and Sky Sport Italia, reported Bautista would continue racing a Ducati Panigale V4 R with Barni, preserving his association with Ducati machinery despite the team change.
Ducati informed Bautista he was no longer part of the factory team’s plans, with WorldSBK’s official rider profile stating Bautista was “unable to keep his factory Ducati seat” and subsequently signed with the independent Barni Spark Racing Team for the 2026 season.
The agreement was reportedly finalized in late August 2025, with BikeSport News noting on August 22 that Bautista was “closing in on a new World Superbike deal” to remain on a Ducati Panigale V4 R with Barni. The timing allowed Bautista to potentially test the 2026-spec Panigale V4 R at the MotorLand Aragón test on August 25–26, as noted by BikeSport News and Paddock-GP. The 2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R is expected to be Bautista’s machine for the upcoming season, according to sources including Mundo Deportivo and WorldSBK’s official communications.
Ducati’s factory team restructuring, which led to Bautista’s departure, was linked to the promotion of fellow Spaniard Iker Lecuona, who is set to replace Bautista in the Aruba.it Racing factory squad, as reported by Sky Sport Italia and Motorsportweek. Paddock-GP also cited Ducati’s decision to not extend Bautista’s factory contract beyond 2025, consistent with earlier reports from Crash.net in June 2025 detailing the option structure that allowed Ducati to cancel the factory year for Bautista.
In a related development, SPEEDWEEK.com reported on August 23, 2026, that Xavi Vierge was “nearing” a ride with Barni Racing for the following season. Vierge, who was under contract with Pata Maxus Yamaha at the time, was linked to a Ducati seat within the Barni structure, aligning with the team’s use of Ducati Panigale V4 machinery. However, no official announcement regarding Vierge’s signing was available in the sources reviewed. This potential move suggests a continuation of Barni’s Ducati-powered presence in World Superbike beyond Bautista’s tenure.
Álvaro Bautista, a two-time World Superbike champion, has had multiple stints with Ducati, including his current factory ride. His transition to Barni Spark Racing Team marks a return to a satellite Ducati outfit, where he will continue competing aboard the latest Panigale V4 R. The Barni team has operated Ducati machinery in World Superbike for several seasons, providing a platform for riders outside the factory squad. Bautista’s move follows a broader trend of Ducati reshuffling its rider lineup ahead of the 2026 season.
The developments come amid ongoing preparations for the 2026 World Superbike season, with teams conducting tests and finalizing contracts in the late summer of 2025. Bautista’s potential participation in the Aragón test with Barni and the 2026-spec Panigale V4 R is indicative of the team’s intent to remain competitive. Meanwhile, the reported near-deal involving Xavi Vierge points to continued rider movements within the Ducati satellite teams, though confirmation is pending.
Records show Ducati’s factory team decisions and satellite team arrangements have significant implications for rider careers and team strategies in the World Superbike championship. Bautista’s shift to Barni and the possible arrival of Vierge underscore the dynamic nature of team compositions as the 2026 season approaches. Further official announcements are expected as teams finalize their lineups and prepare for upcoming race events.
Andrea Locatelli said in an interview on August 21, 2026, that Nicolò Bulega would not be as successful riding the Yamaha R1 as he is on the Ducati in World Superbike competition. Locatelli explained that Bulega’s current success is strongly linked to the Ducati package and expressed his personal opinion that the Italian rider would struggle to achieve similar results on the Yamaha.
Locatelli made his remarks during an interview on August 21, 2026, stating that Bulega’s current success in the World Superbike Championship is closely tied to the Ducati package he rides. He emphasized that Bulega’s wins and title challenge in 2025 were dependent on a “good technical package and a good team,” conditions he views as stronger at Ducati than at Yamaha.
“I don’t think he’d put the R1 up front or win like he does now on the Ducati,” Locatelli said, adding, “that’s my opinion” when explaining why he believes Bulega would struggle to replicate his results on the Yamaha R1.
Locatelli highlighted Bulega as one of the strongest riders in WorldSBK, comparing him directly to Toprak Razgatlioglu and noting Bulega’s 2024 Supersport World Championship title. He recalled how Bulega fought for the 2025 WorldSBK title against Razgatlioglu “right up until Jerez 2025,” underscoring the Italian rider’s competitiveness on the Ducati. However, Locatelli argued that without the Ducati package, Bulega’s current “renaissance” and front-running status would look very different. He suggested that if Bulega were riding the Yamaha R1 and not winning or consistently running at the front, “then he wouldn’t be so attractive to the premier class,” referring to MotoGP teams.
Locatelli’s assessment of the Yamaha R1’s competitiveness in 2026 was candid. He described the R1 as a “great, but old” Superbike, noting that its engine concept and character evoke an earlier era of Superbike racing, with the bike moving and squirms under braking and acceleration. He acknowledged publicly that Yamaha is “in difficulty” and that the gap to the front is very large, despite his efforts to maximize results with the R1. Locatelli has previously stated that even a third-place finish on the Yamaha can feel like a win “with the Ducati,” reinforcing his view of the performance difference between the two manufacturers’ packages.
Locatelli’s comments also addressed the impact of machinery on rider career trajectories. He explicitly linked Bulega’s success on Ducati to the Italian’s appeal for a MotoGP opportunity, suggesting that without Ducati-level dominance, the door to MotoGP “perhaps wouldn’t have opened up” for him. Media coverage of Valentino Rossi’s expected MotoGP signing of Bulega has cited Locatelli’s remarks, which question whether Bulega’s performance would be as strong on a different bike, particularly the Yamaha R1.
The Italian rider’s own experience informs his views. According to official WorldSBK statistics, Locatelli secured his first WorldSBK race win in 2025 at Assen, benefiting from Bulega’s misfortune during that event. Locatelli has highlighted that in 2025 he was the “only one” able to insert himself between Razgatlioglu and Bulega in the final standings or race results. His six seasons as a factory Yamaha rider by 2026 give him sustained experience with the R1’s strengths and limitations under current regulations. This experience forms the practical basis for his statement that even the “current most successful rider” would not shine in the same way on the R1.
Multiple WorldSBK-focused outlets have headlined Locatelli’s view as “Bulega wouldn’t be so successful on the R1,” presenting it as a central quote from his 2026 interviews. The original German-language interview reported him saying, “Ich glaube nicht, dass er mit der R1 so vorn mitfahren oder so gewinnen würde wie jetzt mit der Ducati… Das ist meine Meinung,” directly mirroring the English-language quotes. English-language coverage reproduces his explanation that Bulega’s success on Ducati is what makes him “attractive to the premier class,” whereas an R1 scenario would likely reduce that attractiveness.
Locatelli’s commentary contributes to broader discussions about how rider success in WorldSBK is heavily contingent on the bike’s development cycle. He points to the Yamaha R1’s technical limitations and aging design as factors that would hinder even a top rider like Bulega from achieving Ducati-level results. This perspective contrasts with the narrative that rider talent alone drives success, emphasizing the importance of the machinery and team environment.
Bulega’s strong 2025 WorldSBK campaign on the Ducati, which included a title fight against Razgatlioglu, has fueled speculation about his move to MotoGP, potentially linked to the VR46 and Valentino Rossi. Locatelli’s remarks underscore the technical context behind Bulega’s rise, suggesting that a switch to Yamaha’s current R1 would likely diminish his front-running status and, by extension, his attractiveness to premier-class teams.
Andrea Locatelli said in an interview on August 21, 2026, that Nicolò Bulega would not be as successful riding the Yamaha R1 as he is on the Ducati in World Superbike competition. Locatelli explained that Bulega’s current success is strongly linked to the Ducati package and expressed his personal opinion that the Italian rider would struggle to achieve similar results on the Yamaha.
Locatelli made his remarks during an interview on August 21, 2026, stating that Bulega’s current success in the World Superbike Championship is closely tied to the Ducati package he rides. He emphasized that Bulega’s wins and title challenge in 2025 were dependent on a “good technical package and a good team,” conditions he views as stronger at Ducati than at Yamaha.
“I don’t think he’d put the R1 up front or win like he does now on the Ducati,” Locatelli said, adding, “that’s my opinion” when explaining why he believes Bulega would struggle to replicate his results on the Yamaha R1.
Locatelli highlighted Bulega as one of the strongest riders in WorldSBK, comparing him directly to Toprak Razgatlioglu and noting Bulega’s 2024 Supersport World Championship title. He recalled how Bulega fought for the 2025 WorldSBK title against Razgatlioglu “right up until Jerez 2025,” underscoring the Italian rider’s competitiveness on the Ducati. However, Locatelli argued that without the Ducati package, Bulega’s current “renaissance” and front-running status would look very different. He suggested that if Bulega were riding the Yamaha R1 and not winning or consistently running at the front, “then he wouldn’t be so attractive to the premier class,” referring to MotoGP teams.
Locatelli’s assessment of the Yamaha R1’s competitiveness in 2026 was candid. He described the R1 as a “great, but old” Superbike, noting that its engine concept and character evoke an earlier era of Superbike racing, with the bike moving and squirms under braking and acceleration. He acknowledged publicly that Yamaha is “in difficulty” and that the gap to the front is very large, despite his efforts to maximize results with the R1. Locatelli has previously stated that even a third-place finish on the Yamaha can feel like a win “with the Ducati,” reinforcing his view of the performance difference between the two manufacturers’ packages.
Locatelli’s comments also addressed the impact of machinery on rider career trajectories. He explicitly linked Bulega’s success on Ducati to the Italian’s appeal for a MotoGP opportunity, suggesting that without Ducati-level dominance, the door to MotoGP “perhaps wouldn’t have opened up” for him. Media coverage of Valentino Rossi’s expected MotoGP signing of Bulega has cited Locatelli’s remarks, which question whether Bulega’s performance would be as strong on a different bike, particularly the Yamaha R1.
The Italian rider’s own experience informs his views. According to official WorldSBK statistics, Locatelli secured his first WorldSBK race win in 2025 at Assen, benefiting from Bulega’s misfortune during that event. Locatelli has highlighted that in 2025 he was the “only one” able to insert himself between Razgatlioglu and Bulega in the final standings or race results. His six seasons as a factory Yamaha rider by 2026 give him sustained experience with the R1’s strengths and limitations under current regulations. This experience forms the practical basis for his statement that even the “current most successful rider” would not shine in the same way on the R1.
Multiple WorldSBK-focused outlets have headlined Locatelli’s view as “Bulega wouldn’t be so successful on the R1,” presenting it as a central quote from his 2026 interviews. The original German-language interview reported him saying, “Ich glaube nicht, dass er mit der R1 so vorn mitfahren oder so gewinnen würde wie jetzt mit der Ducati… Das ist meine Meinung,” directly mirroring the English-language quotes. English-language coverage reproduces his explanation that Bulega’s success on Ducati is what makes him “attractive to the premier class,” whereas an R1 scenario would likely reduce that attractiveness.
Locatelli’s commentary contributes to broader discussions about how rider success in WorldSBK is heavily contingent on the bike’s development cycle. He points to the Yamaha R1’s technical limitations and aging design as factors that would hinder even a top rider like Bulega from achieving Ducati-level results. This perspective contrasts with the narrative that rider talent alone drives success, emphasizing the importance of the machinery and team environment.
Bulega’s strong 2025 WorldSBK campaign on the Ducati, which included a title fight against Razgatlioglu, has fueled speculation about his move to MotoGP, potentially linked to the VR46 and Valentino Rossi. Locatelli’s remarks underscore the technical context behind Bulega’s rise, suggesting that a switch to Yamaha’s current R1 would likely diminish his front-running status and, by extension, his attractiveness to premier-class teams.
Enea Bastianini signed a two-year contract with Trackhouse Aprilia to race in the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons, the teams announced Monday, August 24, 2026. The move follows KTM’s decision not to exercise an option to extend Bastianini’s contract beyond 2026, freeing him to join the Aprilia satellite team.
Bastianini’s move to Trackhouse Aprilia marks the end of his two-year tenure with Tech3 KTM, the Austrian manufacturer’s satellite team, which runs through the conclusion of the 2026 MotoGP season. This decision effectively released Bastianini from his KTM obligations, allowing him to finalize his agreement with Trackhouse Aprilia.
KTM held an option to extend Bastianini’s contract for the 2027 season but chose not to exercise this clause by the July 1–2, 2026 deadline, according to multiple reports from Sky Sport Italy and other outlets.
The official announcement came on Monday, August 24, 2026, through coordinated statements from both Tech3 KTM and Trackhouse Racing, confirming Bastianini’s two-year contract covering the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons. Sources at Trackhouse said Bastianini will race on the Aprilia RS-GP motorcycle as part of the team’s satellite operation, which is owned by the U.S.-based Trackhouse Racing organization. While Bastianini will not join Aprilia’s factory Noale team, officials confirmed he will have access to full-spec machinery, aligning him with the manufacturer’s competitive technical package.
Bastianini will join Raúl Fernández at Trackhouse Aprilia, with Fernández having already extended his contract through 2028. This pairing, according to team insiders, provides Trackhouse with a stable rider lineup for the coming two seasons. Bastianini is expected to occupy the seat currently held by Ai Ogura, who has been announced as moving to Yamaha for the 2027 season. The reshuffling of riders across teams, including Bastianini’s transfer, is part of a broader MotoGP market adjustment ahead of the new technical regulations set to take effect in 2027.
The two-year contract signed by Bastianini follows the standard MotoGP contract cycle and was reportedly agreed upon in principle several months before the official announcement. Italian media reported as early as May 28, 2026, that Bastianini had reached a verbal agreement with Trackhouse Aprilia, pending KTM’s contractual decisions. The expiration of KTM’s option clause at the end of June 2026 cleared the path for the formal signing, as confirmed by multiple sources including Sky Sport and Portuguese specialist outlets.
At 28 years old, Bastianini will join his third MotoGP constructor, having previously competed with Ducati-aligned teams before his stint with KTM. This move marks his fifth team or structure in the premier class, reflecting a career trajectory that has included both factory and satellite environments. Industry analysts note that by signing with Trackhouse Aprilia, Bastianini remains within a factory-supported ecosystem, continuing to race for a competitive European manufacturer despite leaving KTM.
The technical implications of the transfer are significant, as Bastianini will switch from KTM’s machinery to the Aprilia RS-GP, which features a distinct V-engine configuration and chassis philosophy. Trackhouse Aprilia operates as a satellite team but benefits from close collaboration with Aprilia Racing, ensuring access to high-spec technical resources. Team officials underscored that Bastianini’s arrival strengthens their rider roster for the upcoming MotoGP rules era, pairing him with Fernández to bolster the team’s competitiveness.
For KTM, the departure of Bastianini opens a seat at Tech3 for the 2027 season, prompting the manufacturer to adjust its rider lineup following the earlier announcement of Ai Ogura’s move to Yamaha. The shifts involving Bastianini, Ogura, and other riders are part of a wider reshuffle across the MotoGP grid as teams prepare for regulatory changes and seek to optimize their lineups.
Bastianini’s signing with Trackhouse Aprilia was the culmination of a transfer process that unfolded over several months, with the official confirmation closing a period of speculation. The two-year contract aligns with the typical MotoGP contract duration and reflects a strategic move by both rider and team ahead of the 2027 season. With the new MotoGP technical regulations approaching, Bastianini’s integration into the Aprilia satellite team represents a key development in the evolving competitive landscape of the sport.
Enea Bastianini signed a two-year contract with Trackhouse Aprilia to race in the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons, the teams announced Monday, August 24, 2026. The move follows KTM’s decision not to exercise an option to extend Bastianini’s contract beyond 2026, freeing him to join the Aprilia satellite team.
Bastianini’s move to Trackhouse Aprilia marks the end of his two-year tenure with Tech3 KTM, the Austrian manufacturer’s satellite team, which runs through the conclusion of the 2026 MotoGP season. This decision effectively released Bastianini from his KTM obligations, allowing him to finalize his agreement with Trackhouse Aprilia.
KTM held an option to extend Bastianini’s contract for the 2027 season but chose not to exercise this clause by the July 1–2, 2026 deadline, according to multiple reports from Sky Sport Italy and other outlets.
The official announcement came on Monday, August 24, 2026, through coordinated statements from both Tech3 KTM and Trackhouse Racing, confirming Bastianini’s two-year contract covering the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons. Sources at Trackhouse said Bastianini will race on the Aprilia RS-GP motorcycle as part of the team’s satellite operation, which is owned by the U.S.-based Trackhouse Racing organization. While Bastianini will not join Aprilia’s factory Noale team, officials confirmed he will have access to full-spec machinery, aligning him with the manufacturer’s competitive technical package.
Bastianini will join Raúl Fernández at Trackhouse Aprilia, with Fernández having already extended his contract through 2028. This pairing, according to team insiders, provides Trackhouse with a stable rider lineup for the coming two seasons. Bastianini is expected to occupy the seat currently held by Ai Ogura, who has been announced as moving to Yamaha for the 2027 season. The reshuffling of riders across teams, including Bastianini’s transfer, is part of a broader MotoGP market adjustment ahead of the new technical regulations set to take effect in 2027.
The two-year contract signed by Bastianini follows the standard MotoGP contract cycle and was reportedly agreed upon in principle several months before the official announcement. Italian media reported as early as May 28, 2026, that Bastianini had reached a verbal agreement with Trackhouse Aprilia, pending KTM’s contractual decisions. The expiration of KTM’s option clause at the end of June 2026 cleared the path for the formal signing, as confirmed by multiple sources including Sky Sport and Portuguese specialist outlets.
At 28 years old, Bastianini will join his third MotoGP constructor, having previously competed with Ducati-aligned teams before his stint with KTM. This move marks his fifth team or structure in the premier class, reflecting a career trajectory that has included both factory and satellite environments. Industry analysts note that by signing with Trackhouse Aprilia, Bastianini remains within a factory-supported ecosystem, continuing to race for a competitive European manufacturer despite leaving KTM.
The technical implications of the transfer are significant, as Bastianini will switch from KTM’s machinery to the Aprilia RS-GP, which features a distinct V-engine configuration and chassis philosophy. Trackhouse Aprilia operates as a satellite team but benefits from close collaboration with Aprilia Racing, ensuring access to high-spec technical resources. Team officials underscored that Bastianini’s arrival strengthens their rider roster for the upcoming MotoGP rules era, pairing him with Fernández to bolster the team’s competitiveness.
For KTM, the departure of Bastianini opens a seat at Tech3 for the 2027 season, prompting the manufacturer to adjust its rider lineup following the earlier announcement of Ai Ogura’s move to Yamaha. The shifts involving Bastianini, Ogura, and other riders are part of a wider reshuffle across the MotoGP grid as teams prepare for regulatory changes and seek to optimize their lineups.
Bastianini’s signing with Trackhouse Aprilia was the culmination of a transfer process that unfolded over several months, with the official confirmation closing a period of speculation. The two-year contract aligns with the typical MotoGP contract duration and reflects a strategic move by both rider and team ahead of the 2027 season. With the new MotoGP technical regulations approaching, Bastianini’s integration into the Aprilia satellite team represents a key development in the evolving competitive landscape of the sport.