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Several more questions about the grid for the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship have been answered. The grid slowly coming together piece by piece, however a handful of high/profile rider’s futures are still up in the air. The most recent tiles of the mosaic to slide into place are American rider Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team), who it was announced will remain alongside Team Manager Manuel Puccetti with Kawasaki, and the announcement that PETRONAS MIE Honda will have an opening in their garage next season after their mutual split with Tarran Mackenzie.

CONFIRMED FOR 2026: Bulega one of a handful announced for next year…

The first riders to be announced for 2026 were the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Duo of Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani, who had their futures announced heading into the Czech Round in mid-May, with the pair being secured for next season. Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing) is also contracted for next year at the Independent Ducati-powered Motocorsa Racing outfit, having signed with the team for 2025 and 2026 when he joined them. Beyond that, the make-up of the grid is unknown with the majority of the grid out of contract. Between Most and Misano, it was confirmed that Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) would stay with Yamaha for 2026 and 2027. Ahead of his home round, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) was announced as having signed a one-year contract with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati squad to take him through to the end of the 2026 campaign. Elsewhere, on the same day as Bulega’s renewal, it was announced that ‘El Turco’ would join Pramac Racing for 2026. American rider Garrett Gerloff will be staying in green, the Texan putting pen to paper on a one-year deal that will see him remain in green through 2026.

OUT OF CONTRACT: everyone’s futures up in the air

While five riders have been confirmed for 2026, that means most haven’t – including Champions and title contenders. Bautista signed a one-year deal last year, so his future is unknown at this point. Looking up the grid, six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) is also out of contract. At Honda HRC, both Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge have shown good pace in 2025 and will hope that secures them a spot for 2026. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and teammate Dominique Aegerter are both searching for a spot as is Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) who is also yet to have his future confirmed, meaning all but five factory seats are up for grabs for 2026.

In terms of Independent riders, everyone bar Vickers out of contract for 2026, including race winners Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven), plus podium contenders such as Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) as well as all four rookies on the 2025 grid.

WHAT’S BEEN SAID SO FAR: “I can see that they believe in the project, and they also believe in me”

The Czech Round is where talk of the future started ramping up and several riders spoke about 2026. Bautista announced his intention to race in 2026 but is waiting for an answer from the team. However, a month later at Misano, Bautista confirmed that, while he’d spoken to the team to take up the option, they wouldn’t be taking up their side. He said: “I communicated to the team that, from my side, I was happy and wanted to continue because I felt that, even with the rules, we’re working and arriving at a good performance. Then, Ducati said from their side, they don’t want to accept the conditions we signed so they broke the agreement; that’s all I can say because if you want to know more about this, you have to ask Ducati. I’m free for next year.” Rea also spoke about his future at Most, giving a one-word answer when asked if there was an update: “No”. Gerloff was pleased to see the vote of confidence from his team, the Texan saying ““I am very happy to have signed again with the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team for the 2026 season. I have been confident in the team and everything we have been doing. We are moving forward, even if it has been tough at times. I am happy with the team, the progress that we have made in the first half of the season, and their belief in me. They have been great at not putting undue pressure on me. I can see that they believe in the project, and they also believe in me. We all want to keep investing and developing the bike. I am excited to build on what I have come to know about the Ninja ZX-10RR. It’s going to be nice to continue with the same project, the same people, and while not having to re-learn anything fundamental. For 2026, I am sure that is going to be positive for us.”

RAZGATLIOGLU'S MOVE: the knock-on effect…

Reigning Champion Razgatlioglu’s move to MotoGP comes with a big knock on effect, in both WorldSBK and MotoGP. Starting with his current paddock, it means two seats are available at the factory BMW squad with Michael van der Mark yet to put pen to paper. The MotoGP rider market is also in full swing, but the key focus point with Toprak’s move for 2026 is Pramac Yamaha: current rider Jack Miller was signed on a deal for 2025, while teammate Miguel Oliveira has a contract until the end of 2026.

Confirmed 2026 grid so far (TBA = to be announced)

Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team – Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani

Motocorsa Racing – Ryan Vickers 

Pata Maxus Yamaha – Andrea Locatelli and TBA

Aruba.it Racing – Ducati – Nicolo Bulega and TBA

Kawasaki Racing Team – Garrett Gerloff

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