The highlight of WDW (World Ducati Week) 2026 at the Misano circuit, the Race of Champions features around fifteen riders, primarily MotoGP et Superbikesupposed to compete against each other in a 10-lap race.
- Marc Márquez (MotoGP)
- Francesco Bagnaia (MotoGP)
- Fabio Di Giannantonio (MotoGP)
- Franco Morbidelli (MotoGP)
- Nicolò Bulega (WorldSBK)
- Álvaro Bautista (WorldSBK)
- Yari Montella (WorldSBK)
- Lorenzo Baldassarri (WorldSBK)
- Alberto Surra (WorldSBK)
- Tarran Mackenzie (WorldSBK)
- Thomas Bridewell (WorldSBK)
- PJ Jacobsen (MotoAmerica)
- Hafizh Syahrin (Asia Road Racing Championship)
- Josh Waters (Australian Superbike)
- Lukas Tulovic (EURO MOTO, former IDM)
Nicholas Bulega has secured pole position and will start from the front this Sunday. The leader of the 2026 Superbike World Championship set the fastest time of 1'34"386, ahead of Lorenzo Baldassarri of 68 thousandths and Francis Bagnaia of 228 thousandths.
The second line will be led by Yari Montella, alongsideAlberto Surra and Franco MorbidelliWe thus find
four riders from the Superbike World Championship et two MotoGP riders in the top six positions.
Fabio Di Giannantonio will open the third line, accompanied by
Thomas Bridewell
and Michele Pirro.
Marc Márquez finished twelfth in qualifying and will start from the fourth row, just behind Hafizh Syahrin et Alvaro Bautista.
It's clear that the primary objective of this Race of Champions is to have fun without taking unnecessary risks. Next weekend, MotoGP will be racing at the Sachsenring and WorldSBK at Donington Park. Therefore, there's no reason to take risks in an event organized mainly for fans and to celebrate Ducati's 100th anniversary.
It should also be remembered that Marc Márquez He is not yet at 100% of his physical condition. He therefore has no interest in pushing his Panigale V4 Tricolore beyond a certain limit.
However, a rider is a rider, and Misano is the playground of the VR46 Riders Academy…
So for some it will be a question of honor and we can expect a confrontation that is primarily Italian in this race which will start at 12:40.
WDW 2026 Race of Champions WDW 2026 Race of Champions
