On 20 February 2026, at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia, the new WorldSBK season roars to life, promising one of the most dynamic championships in recent memory.
In numbers alone, the scope is remarkable: 111 riders, 71 teams, 34 newcomers, 25 countries, 24 female competitors, 19 different motorcycle models, and one brand‑new category.
The series showcases a refreshing broad spectrum of manufacturers. The rise of the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR), launched in 2024 as a single‑make series has quite an influence on the paddock, because every competitor in WorldWCR rides the Yamaha YZF‑R7.
Tt has become the most represented model across all categories. Outside the women’s championship, the familiar dominance returns: the ever‑present Ducati Panigale, followed by the green machine, Kawasaki.
The team to beat remains Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, defending its crown as the reigning Teams’ World Champion. But all eyes are on the rider at the top of the mountain: Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, now leading the charge at ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK. The rider most likely to challenge him is Nicolo Bulega (Ducati), the only competitor who managed to consistently pressure Razgatlıoğlu in 2025, finishing the season just 13 points behind. Third place last year went to Álvaro Bautista, who ended the season with 337 points.
Geographically, the grid reflects the global reach of the championship. Italy leads with 31 riders, followed by Spain (23), Great Britain (10), France (7), and the Czech Republic (5). Countries represented by a single rider include Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Greece, Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Thailand. Notably, South Africa, previously represented by Sheridan Morais and Steven Odendaal, both last entered in 2024, has no entrants this season.
The 2026 championship spans four categories:
The championship will be decided across 12 rounds and 12 nations. For fans who want front‑row access without traveling to the circuits, the official WorldSBK VideoPass offers live broadcasts, highlights, and exclusive content at: https://www.worldsbk.com/en
Photo: WorldSBK
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
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General Motors (GM) has renewed its joint venture with China's SAIC Motor Corp for another 20 years, enabling the United States (US) automaker to use China as an export hub amid rising competition from Chinese brands in and outside their home market.
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