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Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing) will leave the Motocorsa Ducati outfit at the end of the 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, with Team Manager Lorenzo Mauri explaining why that decision has been made during the EICMA Estoril Round at the Circuito Estoril. Vickers has had a rollercoaster rookie campaign, fighting in the top ten at Donington and Balaton Park, but often scrapping for the lower end of the points-paying positions.

AMICABLE SPLIT: “With Ryan we have an excellent relationship, and so let's finish the season in the best way possible”

The British rookie has performed respectably in his debut season after making the jump from British Superbike. He’s been a regular contender within the point-scoring positions. At circuits like Balaton Park, where other riders’ track familiarity advantage was nullified, he showed his speed with his season-high P7 result in the Tissot Superpole Race. While the team and the #17 had a deal initially announced as a two-year deal, Mauri stated it was a 1+1 deal.

On Motocorsa’s plans for 2026, Mauri said: "We are very happy about the work did by Ryan and team in 2025. The Championship level has increased a lot and with a rookie it’s very tough to get results in short time. With Ryan we had a 1+1 contract, his growth has been very good, but we are not able to have this energy when overtaking and in the fight. He is very fast in new tracks alone; in the fight we struggle a lot. He realises the Championship is very tough, for an Independent team it’s very hard to finish always 15th, 16th or 17th. Motocorsa has made a very great investment, projects are made by two parts. If only the team believes in the project...the team needs also the rider and his manager to believe in this very expensive and important project. With Ryan we have an excellent relationship and let's finish the season in the best way possible.”

WINDOW SHOPPING: “For next season we are looking for some options in order to have a rider consistently in top ten of the Championship”

Without Vickers in 2026, Motocorsa Racing’s Ducati seat is up for grabs. In search of their new star rider, Mauri and his team have been in contact with riders from various different Championships such as Moto2 and MotoE. While many talented riders are still available, Mauri opened up about the difficult nature of the decision he’s faced with.

Looking forward to next year, Mauri said: “For next season we are looking for some options in order to have a rider consistently in top ten of the Championship. The research is complex. I'm considering riders from Moto2, I have found some names and I like [Albert] Arenas a lot, I can't hide it. But is very difficult to convince a rider from Moto2 to come here because the bike is different and the level is very high. It's a challenge we have to accept. At the moment nothing concrete, just some talks. I have spoken with lots of riders. From MotoE, lots have contacted us in these weeks but the choice is very hard as the investment is made by the sponsors and by my company. We put lot of money for this project, the decision is very tough and honestly, I haven't been sleeping at night.”

Tune in on Saturday at 14:00 local time (UTC +1) to see Vickers battle with the rest of the field at the Circuito Estoril in Race 1! Watch live or on demand with the WorldSBK VideoPass! Now just €9.99!