Kiwi Rider September Vol.2 2026 | Page 83

It looked like being on an Aruba. it factory Ducati was the key to success in the first eight rounds of the season, with Nicolo Bulega winning all but one race and, teammate Iker Lecuona snaring the one that eluded Bulega. Behind them, it was the independent Ducatis which were dominating the series, with the Kawasaki-powered Bimotas being the only non-Ducatis to put up any sort of fight.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS There’ s already much talk about who will be riding what in 2027. As of writing, it’ s just been announced that Bulega will go to MotoGP in a straight swap with Franco Morbidelli; Bulega to ride a Ducati GP27 for VR46 Racing, and Morbidelli hopping onto the Aruba. it V4R. Iker Lecuona is already confirmed as remaining with WorldSBK Aruba. it. Jack Miller, without a seat in MotoGP for 2027, has been installed at PATA Maxus Factory Yamaha WorldSBK next year, replacing Xavi Vierge. The always entertaining Miller will bring to WorldSBK some of the colour that was lost when Toprak Razgatlioglu left for MotoGP at the end of last season( and he’ s shown he can ride the R1 at the Suzuka 24hr on several occasions). Alex Rins, another MotoGP rider looking for a new home in 2027, was rumoured to be in talks with GoEleven Ducati, but has since announced he’ ll be retiring from two wheels at the end of 2026. It looks likely that 2026 will be Alvaro Bautista’ s last season in WorldSBK and Xavi Vierge, displaced by Jack Miller at Yamaha, is
KIWI RIDER 83