On 20 February 2026, at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia, the new WorldSBK season roars to life, promising one of the most dynamic championships in recent memory.
In numbers alone, the scope is remarkable: 111 riders, 71 teams, 34 newcomers, 25 countries, 24 female competitors, 19 different motorcycle models, and one brand‑new category.
The series showcases a refreshing broad spectrum of manufacturers. The rise of the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR), launched in 2024 as a single‑make series has quite an influence on the paddock, because every competitor in WorldWCR rides the Yamaha YZF‑R7.
Tt has become the most represented model across all categories. Outside the women’s championship, the familiar dominance returns: the ever‑present Ducati Panigale, followed by the green machine, Kawasaki.
The team to beat remains Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, defending its crown as the reigning Teams’ World Champion. But all eyes are on the rider at the top of the mountain: Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, now leading the charge at ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK. The rider most likely to challenge him is Nicolo Bulega (Ducati), the only competitor who managed to consistently pressure Razgatlıoğlu in 2025, finishing the season just 13 points behind. Third place last year went to Álvaro Bautista, who ended the season with 337 points.
Geographically, the grid reflects the global reach of the championship. Italy leads with 31 riders, followed by Spain (23), Great Britain (10), France (7), and the Czech Republic (5). Countries represented by a single rider include Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Greece, Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Thailand. Notably, South Africa, previously represented by Sheridan Morais and Steven Odendaal, both last entered in 2024, has no entrants this season.
The 2026 championship spans four categories:
The championship will be decided across 12 rounds and 12 nations. For fans who want front‑row access without traveling to the circuits, the official WorldSBK VideoPass offers live broadcasts, highlights, and exclusive content at: https://www.worldsbk.com/en
Photo: WorldSBK
Many forward-thinking individuals propose that autonomous vehicles will improve road safety as problematic driver behaviour, which contributes to 90% plus crashes, will be eliminated. A recent incident may cause some to doubt this, however.
South Africa’s vehicle market has seen a steady influx of emerging brands, alongside continued expansion from established players.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
Many forward-thinking individuals propose that autonomous vehicles will improve road safety as problematic driver behaviour, which contributes to 90% plus crashes, will be eliminated. A recent incident may cause some to doubt this, however.
South Africa’s vehicle market has seen a steady influx of emerging brands, alongside continued expansion from established players.
Motorists travelling over the Easter period can expect heavy traffic across South Africa’s road network, with authorities warning that routes to Limpopo will come under particular pressure as thousands of pilgrims make their way to Moria.
