A bolt from the blue in the WorldSBK paddock: Ducati and two-time Superbike World Champion Alvaro Bautista are parting ways for 2026! The 40-year-old Spaniard, a pillar of the Aruba.it Racing team, has seen his contract option for 2026 rejected by Borgo Panigale. I had signed for 2025 and 2026, with a bilateral clause. I wanted to continue, but Ducati refused the terms and broke the agreement. ", Bautista confided to the official WorldSBK website. A shock decision, as Nicolò Bulega, his teammate, has just extended his contract.
While Ducati recently formalized the extension of Nicholas Bulega, another major piece of information has leaked behind the scenes: the double world champion Alvaro Bautista will not be renewed in 2026. Despite his wish to continue the adventure with the Italian brand, the 40-year-old Spaniard will have to find a new handlebar at the end of next season.
In an interview given to the official website of the World SBK, Baptist confirmed the decision taken by Ducati : " My goal is to keep running, because I feel good physically and mentally, ready to fight for good results. We had signed a contract for 2025 and 2026, with the possibility for both parties to confirm or not the second year. I expressed my intention to continue, but Ducati decided not to validate the option »
The Borgo Panigale firm has thus chosen to bet on a younger driver, with a view to the post-Open up, which we already imagine leaving for MotoGP in 2027. A logical decision in the long term, but which marks the end of a successful collaboration.
Despite this separation, Alvaro Bautista does not seem worried
« I am free for 2026, but for now I'm still a Ducati rider and I want to give the best of myself to end this adventure on a good note »
His name is already circulating in the paddock, with Honda et BMW mentioned as possible destinations. The Spaniard remains one of the most experienced and successful drivers on the grid.
This weekend, the World SBK stops at Misano, a circuit dear to the heart of Baptist and Ducati. Aware of the gap to be filled with Open up et Razgatlioglu, he remains determined: " Misano is special for me, for Aruba and for Ducati. I have great memories here, and even if every season is different, I'm confidentIn recent tests, some things worked well, others less so, but we have taken a step forward. »
Baptist reacted to the highly anticipated transfer of Toprak Razgatlioglu towards MotoGP with Yamaha-Pramac in 2026: He told me two weeks ago. I congratulated him.It won't be easy: the bikes, the tires, the circuits... everything is different. But it's a great opportunity for him. He's been dreaming of it, and he'll finally be able to try his luck. »
The future of Baptist will therefore be written elsewhere than at Ducati, but at Misano, he is ready to roar one last time under the colors DucatiThe paddock is holding its breath: where will this stainless champion land?
