SAVE THE DATE: When are WorldSBK teams launching their 2026 campaigns?
Extravagant launches have become a key part of WorldSBK’s off-season and 2026 is sure to be no different
SAVE THE DATE: When are WorldSBK teams launching their 2026 campaigns?
Extravagant launches have become a key part of WorldSBK’s off-season and 2026 is sure to be no different
After a winter break in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship where teams and riders got some well-deserved rest, it’s time to start all over again. Testing takes places at the end of January but before then, it’ll be launch season. Expect huge events for the teams competing in the 2026 season as their campaigns kick off with impressive launches at various venues, and we’ve gathered the key info for you.
Barni Spark Racing Team’s new line-up got their first public showing on Sunday, January 11th. Yari Montella remains with the team for his second WorldSBK campaign, but he has a new teammate in the form of two-time Champion Alvaro Bautista. Garrett Gerloff and the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team officially launched their season on Wednesday, January 21st at the Jerez test event, displaying their new green and blue livery adorning their new 2026 ZX-10RR Ninja. On January 22nd MGM Express Racing debuted Tarran Mackenzie’s new livery for 2026. On Monday, January 26th, the 2026 colours for both the Pata Maxus Yamaha and GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Teams were unveiled online. A day later, the livery for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team was revealed for new recruits Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira.
Later on, in February, bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team officially kicked off their 2026 campaign on Tuesday, February 3rd as Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani return after riding atop their KB998 Rimini bikes in the team’s first season back in WorldSBK in over a decade. On the same day, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati squad will kick off their 2026 campaign with Nicolo Bulega and Iker Lecuona. Lastly, Honda HRC will launch their season on Thursday February 5th.
Presentation dates:
Barni Spark Racing Team – Sunday, January 11th
Kawasaki WorldSBK Team – Wednesday, January 21st
MGM Optical Express Racing – Thursday, January 22nd
Pata Maxus Yamaha – Monday, January 26th
GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team – Monday, January 26th
ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team – Tuesday, January 27th
bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team – Tuesday, February 3rd
Aruba.it Racing - Ducati – Tuesday, February 3rd
Honda HRC – Thursday February 5th
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