The “insider” news and latest updates from the World Superbike paddock primarily revolve around the current race weekend at Aragon (Tissot Aragon Round) and the ongoing 2026 rider market/silly season.
Here’s a summary of the key “insider” updates:
Aragon Race Weekend (Latest On-Track Action)
- Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW) was the fastest rider overall on Friday (across both Free Practice sessions), despite Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) topping the second FP2 session. The title fight remains intense.
- Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team – Ducati) showed strong pace and expects a tight battle for the final podium spot with fellow Ducati riders Álvaro Bautista and Danilo Petrucci.
- Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) was the fastest Bimota rider in 10th.
- Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) is heavily involved in a three-way fight for 3rd in the championship standings with Petrucci and Bautista.
2026 WorldSBK Rider Market (Silly Season)
The 2026 grid is still being shaped with several high-profile seats open:
- Yamaha Factory Team (Pata Maxus Yamaha):
- Team Principal Paul Denning stated they are “getting very, very close to signing our second rider” to partner Andrea Locatelli, following Jonathan Rea’s retirement announcement. An announcement is expected “this weekend or very shortly afterwards.”
- Rumor: There is a report suggesting Xavi Vierge (currently at Honda) has landed a “shocking factory Yamaha World Superbike deal.”
- BMW Factory Team (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team):
- Danilo Petrucci is confirmed to replace the departing Toprak Razgatlioglu.
- The second seat, currently held by Michael van der Mark, is open as he plans to step away from WorldSBK.
- Honda Factory Team (Honda HRC):
- Both factory seats are open for 2026, as Iker Lecuona moves to the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati factory team and Xavi Vierge is departing Honda (reportedly to Yamaha).
- Ducati (Other Teams):
- Álvaro Bautista will reportedly move from the factory team to the Barni Ducati team in 2026, replacing Petrucci.
- Andrea Iannone’s 2026 plans are unclear, with him confirming he has “weird” plans but WorldSBK is still an option. He is expected to leave Team GoEleven.
- Jonathan Rea’s Future: After announcing his retirement from full-time racing at the end of 2025, there are rumors he had been in discussions with Honda for 2026 before his retirement decision. He has teased post-WorldSBK “opportunities.”
Sources
- Official World Superbike Championship Website (WorldSBK.com):
- https://www.worldsbk.com/en/news (General News page, including practice reports and official team/rider quotes)
- Specific Articles (Look for the most recent reports, like those for the current race weekend and rider announcements):
- “FRIDAY REPORT: Razgatlioglu beats title rival Bulega overall on Friday, #11 quickest in FP2” (For Aragon Practice Results)
- “Denning: ‘We’re getting very, very close to signing our second rider'” (For Yamaha’s 2026 search)
- “SILLY SEASON FOR 2026…” and “FACTORY SEATS UP FOR GRABS…” articles (For detailed rider market updates)
- Crash.net (WSBK News Section):
- https://www.crash.net/wsbk (General WSBK News, including rumors and in-depth articles on the rider market)
- Specific Articles:
- Articles detailing the Xavi Vierge to Yamaha rumor.
- Articles on Andrea Iannone’s “weird” plans and Petrucci’s move to BMW.
- NewsNow (World Superbikes Feed):
- https://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Motorsport/World+Superbikes (An aggregator that compiles links from many sources, including official and specialist motorsport sites.)
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