P1racenews AI automatic summary:
There’s plenty to watch in World Superbikes in 2026 – Val Khorounzhiy picks out the key storylines ahead of the season-opener
The 2026 World Superbike season starting this weekend is expected to be significantly different, with the absence of three-time champion Toprak Razgatlioglu who moved to chase his MotoGP dream, drastically altering the competitive landscape.
Pre-season testing at Phillip Island was impacted by bad weather, leaving teams and riders feeling like they were starting from scratch, with limited information on the post-Razgatlioglu World SBK scenario.
Initial test results showed Nicolo Bulega leading the pack, signaling his strong competitive presence in the upcoming season, with Ducati naming him a MotoGP test rider, further fueling his ambitions.
Bulega is a favorite to win the World SBK title, with speculations on whether he could achieve 36 wins in a season, potentially breaking all-time records for most wins and podiums, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive season ahead.
