Twenty-three of the 24 riders have signed a petition initiated by Alvaro Bautista, criticizing the minimum weight regulation, of which he is the first victim. Only Jonathan Rea has not signed, and the Ducati rider is now waiting for a response from Dorna...
Alvaro Bautista (Ducati Aruba.it, double WorldSBK champion 2019, 2022) is orchestrating a collective petition against the ballast rule (additional weight imposed) in Superbike, which penalizes its Ducati Panigale V4R since 2024. In Jerez, the 40-year-old Spaniard announced that 23 of the 24 drivers have signed, only Jonathan Rhea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) abstaining.
Discount on Dorna Sports, the petition aims to remove this handicap, deemed unfair by Baptist, which affects its performance. This revolt could redefine the 2026 SBK. Bautista commented on GP One : " 23 votes against Ballast, that counts! »
Baptist, frustrated by the ballast (6-8 kg depending on the circuit, rule 2.4.4.2 FIM SBK 2024), convinced almost all the riders in Jerez: “ Everyone signed except Rea. I spoke to Jonathan before his conference, he said it wasn't the right time, that it would be better to discuss after Race 2. The signatures are being submitted, I don't know what the response will be. »
Alvaro Bautista: “ This is no longer an isolated complaint, but a collective request. »
On the impact he specifies: “ I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic. If everyone agrees, it is a collective request from the pilots. Before, it was just my voice; now it's 23 voices. It changes everything.We'll see, it's no longer in my hands. »
Why is Ballast a Debate? The ballast rule (introduced in 2024) aims to balance performance, penalizing dominant bikes/riders with jockey builds, which was the case for Baptist on Ducati. Based on the combined rider/bike weight (165 kg min.), it adds weight to lightweight machines (e.g. Bautista, 65 kg, +6 kg). Effects: performance, loss of acceleration, increased tire wear.
Alvaro Bautista adds: " The ballast is preventing me from operating the V4R. It's not fair. » Baptist succeeded where many had failed: creating unanimity among drivers who were nevertheless competitors on the track. This is no longer an isolated complaint, but a collective request »
This historic mobilization could well mark a turning point in the governance of WorldSBK, where the voice of the riders now carries new weight. A story to watch very closely...
