Leon Haslam, who spent his first season driving a Ducati Panigale V4 R with the Moto Rapido workforce within the 2025 BSB season, expects to learn from staying with the identical set-up in 2026.
Haslam, who completed third within the 2025 BSB Championship, has steadily improved his stage subsequent yr, doubtless pushing him right into a full title struggle with the likes of Bradley Ray and Kyle Ryde, who completed second and first respectively this yr.
Haslam expects that if there’s a trigger for such enchancment, it will likely be consistency between the 2025 and 2026 seasons of driving the identical model of motorbike for a similar workforce.
“I feel the most important factor is the second yr with the bike and the workforce,” Haslam instructed TNT Sports activities after race three of the ultimate Manufacturers Hatch race.
“Sure, there’s a new bike from Ducati and many thrilling new upgrades, however extra importantly continuity with the workforce.
“What I understood this yr, working with the gamers and what I need from the bike, might be extraordinarily essential for subsequent yr, so I am wanting ahead to it.”
As he talked about, he’ll nonetheless be driving a Ducati in 2026, however Ducati will convey a mannequin replace for the Panigale V4 R for subsequent yr, so it will not be the identical bike as this yr.
The brand new bike will characteristic plenty of adjustments in comparison with the 2025 model, however Haslam singled out the brand new double-sided swingarm as one that will notably profit the BSB.
“Clearly, Ducati is all the time pushing the bounds,” he stated.
“We have got a double-sided swingarm that I feel is the most important (change). We have got much more edge grip. And that is one space the place I feel Yamaha has an edge on us this yr, a bit bit extra rotation and a bit bit extra edge grip.”
“So Ducati is doing what it all the time does and pushing the bounds, so I’m glad to be a part of it once more subsequent yr.”
