Five riders will be leaving MotoGP and setting their sights on the World Superbike Championship—Ducati has clear plans for Bulega’s successor
Several MotoGP riders will be leaving the premier class paddock after the 2026 season. Among them are Brad Binder, Alex Rins, Jack Miller, Franco Morbidelli, and Maverick Viñales. Their futures are up in the air.
“My manager is surely out there right now doing his job,” says Binder about his current situation. “So we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. I mean, it’s clear: when one door closes, another one opens.”
“So let’s see, let’s see what we can find. And then we’ll make a decision.” The South African also admits, however, that he doesn’t have anything concrete at the moment: “Who knows at this point. Let’s see, let’s see.”
Miller’s future is also up in the air right now. “Nothing at the moment. As soon as I have something, I’ll let you know,” he said recently at the Sachsenring. Rumors link the Australian to Yamaha in the Superbike World Championship.
According to rumors, Binder’s manager has also been sounding out the Superbike paddock, particularly the Ducati teams Aruba, Go Eleven, and Barni. But Franco Morbidelli could also be a candidate for the Ducati factory team.
“No, there’s nothing I can say,” Morbidelli also remained tight-lipped about his future recently at the Sachsenring. First, Nicolo Bulega’s future must be finalized.
He has received a MotoGP offer from Ducati to ride for VR46. It is reportedly a one-year contract with an option for a second year. The details are still being worked out between Ducati, VR46, and Bulega.
Bulega’s Superbike seat is highly sought after
Once Bulega’s MotoGP future is formally settled, Ducati officials can consider who will be Iker Lecuona’s teammate next year. The list of interested riders is long.
Stefano Cecconi, Serafino Foti, and Gigi Dall’Igna can take their time making a decision. After all, they know that the Panigale is the best motorcycle on the grid and riders are lining up to get that spot.
“First of all, I’d like to emphasize that there’s no name yet for a potential successor,” Aruba boss Cecconi is quoted as saying by GPOne.com. “Above all, it has to be a rider who’s truly eager to do this.”
“A rider who is excited to join this project. Someone who feels left out, is angry at the world, or is seeking revenge or redemption does not embody the spirit we’d like to see in a rider.”
“I want someone who is happy to be here, who sees this as the best place to be. Someone who’s satisfied with the conditions and doesn’t feel underappreciated or like a victim of injustice.”
“If you start with that mindset, then, to be honest, I don’t want to pay anyone just to prove a point: I want people who are convinced they’re in the right place.”
Rins has also expressed his interest: “Honestly, no, I don’t have anything lined up in this paddock for next year. We’re trying to find something in the Superbike World Championship, but right now I don’t have anything.”
“We’re just trying to find a good bike. As I’ve said at previous Grands Prix, I’ve been fighting hard for three years. I’m just a little short of being up front, of making it onto the podium.”
Rins’s last top result came in the spring of 2023 with his victory in Austin. He definitely wants to race next year: “When you still feel competitive, you don’t want to end your career.”
“So, yeah, sure, this spot, this Ducati spot—if Bulega were to come here, it would definitely be a sought-after spot. But yeah, we’ll see,” said Rins. Binder’s last podium finish dates back to the 2024 season opener.
Miller hasn’t been on the podium since spring 2023. Morbidelli secured two third-place finishes last year but is currently overshadowed by his VR46 teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio.
There’s another rider who could be in the running for the open Ducati seat or even a spot on the BMW team: Manuel Gonzalez. If he doesn’t get the seat at Tech3, Gonzalez could also set his sights on the Superbike World Championship.