The 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is underway and with it comes a cluster of Independent stars aiming for success. Although none were able to challenge Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati), three were able to take podiums while others also impressed in different ways at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

TAKING PODIUMS: Montella, Baldassarri, Bautista all score rostrums

The first place to start when talking about WorldSBK’s Independent stars is the three who claimed podiums in Australia. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was quick in the lead up to the round and converted that into a front row start and a P2 in Race 1 to take his first podium. For Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven), it was his first race back in the Championship, and it was a superb start to Race 1 that propelled him to the rostrum as he came home in third. Neither were able to repeat those heroics in Sunday’s races. While their high points came on Saturday, Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) was pulling off the opposite move: 12^th in Tissot Superpole and a crash in Race 1 ended Saturday on a low note, but he recovered on Sunday for seventh in the Tissot Superpole Race and a podium in Race 2, using his experience to master the rainy conditions and take his first podium as an Independent rider.

BEST RESULT FOR MACKENZIE: The #95 takes a career-best P4

While three Independent Ducati riders were taking headlines with their podiums, one was quietly impressing. Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) is facing his first full season on the Panigale V4R machine and, while 12^th and 11^th in Race 1 in the Superpole Race, were solid if unspectacular results, things turned around for ‘Taz’ on Sunday. Taking advantage of the rain, the #95 stormed up the order to claim a career-best P4 in Race 2 as he really showed his potential.

POINTS BUT LEFT WANTING MORE? Sofuoglu scores, Lowes crashes from podium fight

Bahattin Sofuoglu (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) ended last season fighting for the points on a consistent basis, and the Turkish star would’ve hoped to continue that in 2026. It was a weekend of struggle for Yamaha in general, but the #54 was able to take P16 in Race 1 to narrowly miss out on points, before securing P15 in Race 2 for his first score of the season. On the flip side, Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) would’ve been hoping to be in the podium conversation, but two P5 finishes in Race 1, and the Superpole Race were a decent start. However, he crashed in Race 2 from the podium fight at Turn 3, which left him with a fractured left wrist.

SURRA SHINES, RATO CLOSES THE GAP: Rookies give a first glimpse of their potential

Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) surprised on Saturday as he secured tenth place on the grid, finishing ahead of Mackenzie, Bautista and Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati). The #67 was able to convert that into points in Race 1 with ninth, before finishing 12^th in the Superpole Race and Race 2. Mattia Rato (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) endured a tougher weekend as he made his WorldSBK debut, but he showed signs of progress as he consistently closed the gap to teammate Sofuoglu throughout the weekend. Sadly, the #13’s weekend ended early when he crashed from Race 2 at Turn 4.

How will WorldSBK’s Independent riders fare next time out at Portimao? Find out using the WorldSBK VideoPass!