With the 2026 FIM Supersport World Championship campaign now closed, rider market rumours are already swirling around the paddock about who is on the move, and who is staying put with their team. The category saw a rookie participant in the class take the Riders’ Championship for the first time since Dominique Aegerter did so with the Ten Kate Racing Team back in 2020. With new manufacturers on the rise, as well as consistent powerhouses in the class set to return, 2027 is already shaping up to be another hotly contested fight for the title.
RETURNING RIDERS
After the close of the 2026 season, EASTROC ZXMOTO Evan Bros Factory Racing Team announced that its rider pair, Valentin Debise and Federico Caricasulo, will stay with the team in 2027. GMT94 Yamaha has one of their two riders locked down for next season, as the team announced a mutual parting with WorldSSP veteran Lucas Mahias, and has locked down Spanish rider Roberto Garcia for 2027. Czech outfit WRP Racing have announced that Italian rider Matteo Ferrari will return next season; however, Spanish rider Borja Jimenez’s status with the team remains unclear. Continuing with Honda Racing World Supersport, Ana Carrasco will continue for her third season in WorldSSP in 2027.
MAKING A CHANGE
The Kawasaki WorldSSP Team has their 2026 rider pair already squared away, with 2026 WorldSPB runner-up David Salvador set to move up to WorldSSP to ride alongside five-time WorldSSP race winner Jaume Masia. Trading his green leathers for blue ones, Jeremy Alcoba has put pen to paper and signed for 2027 with defending Champion AS BLU CRU Racing squad; the Spaniard will look to make a splash after a tremendous close to the 2026 campaign. With Masia’s departure, Orelac Racing Verdnatura announced that fellow Spanish rider Marcos Ramirez will join the team after a 2026 season with QJMOTOR Factory Racing. Yamaha Motor Europe announced that it and Ten Kate Racing would conclude their partnership after eight years on Yamaha machinery, meaning whoever they choose to ride for them next season won’t be competing on the R9 platform.
WorldSSP Riders confirmed for 2027 so far:
EASTROC ZXMOTO Evan Bros Factory Racing Team: Valentin Debise and Federico Caricasulo
GMT94 Yamaha: Roberto García
WRP Racing: Matteo Ferrari
Honda Racing World Supersport: Ana Carrasco
Kawasaki WorldSSP Team: Jaume Masia and David Salvador
AS BLU CRU Racing Team: Jeremy Alcoba
Orelac Racing VerdNatura: Marcos Ramirez
Watch back through a stunning 2026 season OnDemand and lock in your place for a Live 2027 campaign with the WorldSBK VideoPass!