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Six manufacturers and 33 riders are set to compete in the new FIM Sportbike World Championship, with a mix of names from WorldSSP300 and new names coming into the paddock on the grid. Get to meet the riders all aiming to be crowned the inaugural World Sportbike Champion at the end of 2026. You can read more about the bikes and manufacturers competing HERE.

WORLD SUPERSPORT 300’S BIG NAMES: Champions and race winners on the grid

There are race winners from WorldSSP300 aiming to carry that form across to WorldSPB. Jeffrey Buis (Track & Trades Wixx Racing) won two World Supersport 300 titles and holds so many records from that Championship, so he’ll head into 2026 as one of the favourites. Benat Fernandez (Kove Racing Team 109) claimed the title in his rookie WorldSSP300 year, and he sticks with Kove as he looks to make it two titles in two years in two categories. Race winners from WorldSSP300 on the WorldSPB grid include Mirko Gennai (Panattoni BGR Smrz Racing), Matteo Vannucci (Revo-M2), Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki), Carter Thompson (Team BrCorse), Bruno Ieraci (CM Triumph Factory Racing), Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) and David Salvador (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI).

CUP WINNERS AND DOMESTIC CHAMPIONS: Can they replicate it on the world stage?

Alessandro Di Persio (ARCO Yamaha MotoR University Team) claimed the title in last season’s Yamaha BLU CRU World Cup, and he moves into WorldSPB, aiming to replicate that success. Kas Beekmans (VLR Racing Team Suzuki) won the 2025 British Sportbike title and he steps onto the world stage for the first time, as does Ferre Fleerackers (Track & Trades Wixx Racing); the pair finished 1-2 in the British championship. Thomas Benetti (MMR) took the CIV Junior title in 2024 and continues his upwards trajectory. Ieraci claimed the Italian Sportbike title last season and the rider he beat to the trophy, Marria Sorrenti, also steps up to WorldSPB.

JOINING THE PARTY: High-profile names enter WorldSPB

Several riders are moving into the WorldSBK paddock, and into WorldSPB, for 2026. Perhaps the most high-profile name is Xavi Artigas (MTM Kawasaki), who joins as a Moto3 race winner. Taiyo Aksu (PATA AG Motorsport Italia) moves from the Spanish STK600 championship into WorldSPB after taking a best finish of P2. Gabin Cazard (Yamaha MS Racing FIMLA AD78) also moves from a domestic championship, this time from France, as he looks to make a name for himself on the world stage. Julian Correa (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) had a triple campaign in 2025: the British Talent Cup, MotoAmerica Talent Cup and the Spanish Supersport 300 championship; he has scored podiums in the BTC. Alvaro Fuertes (Deza-Box 77 Racing Team) comes from a racing family – his dad, Sergio, raced in WorldSBK for two full seasons in 2003 and 2004, taking a best finish of P6 at Monza. Alvaro raced in the Stock European Championship last year, finishing fifth overall. Harrison Dessoy (PHR Performance Triumph) is set for a World Championship debut, and he’s joined by Fenton Seabright, who returns to the paddock after racing in WorldSSP300 previously.

AIMING HIGH: Looking to make their mark

Tomas Alonso (Miguel Oliveira Team) raced in WorldSSP300 previously and he’s back in the paddock in WorldSPB, this time linking up with five-time MotoGP race winner and WorldSBK star Miguel Oliveira. Pepe Osuna (Deza-Box 77 Racing Team) has two rostrums from WorldSSP300 and will want to add more trophies to his collection, as will Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) and Humberto Maier (Yamaha MS Racing FIMLA AD78). Elsewhere, Felix Mulya (ProGP NitiRacing), teammate Arai Agaska, Troy Sovicka (Panattoni BGR Smrz Racing) and Elia Bartolini (CM Triumph Factory Racing) will all go in search of glory.

Follow all of WorldSPB’s inaugural campaign in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!