Barni Ducati opened the 2026 WorldSBK season at an occasion in Italy, unveiling the brand new colours for the primary time with star rider Alvaro Bautista.
After years of a predominantly black livery with crimson highlights, the arrival of Bautista means the 2026 Barni Ducati will function extra crimson. The design across the entrance is brighter and ought to be extra noticeable on the monitor.
Bautista, a two-time Superbike World Champion, moved to Barni this 12 months after 4 seasons with Ducati’s manufacturing facility staff, having comfortably defeated Nicolo Brega previously two campaigns. He’ll accomplice Jari Montella within the Italian satellite tv for pc staff, the 2024 Supersport bronze medalist hoping for his most constant 2026 season after a crash-plagued rookie season.
Bautista, who hasn’t gained for the reason that 2024 Tremendous Pole race within the Netherlands, is hoping to finish his drought this 12 months and in some methods might be seen as one of many riders who might problem Brega for this 12 months’s title.
A whole lot of that can rely upon whether or not Bautista can discover a persistently good really feel on the bike, one thing he is largely missed since mixed rider and bike minimal weights had been launched in 2024.
In the meantime, the Spaniard, like all Ducati riders this 12 months, shall be studying a brand new bike, because the Bologna manufacturing facility will introduce a brand new homologation of the Panigale V4 R, which incorporates engine and chassis updates, a brand new aerodynamic package deal and, maybe most significantly, a double-sided swingarm.
When it comes to adapting to the brand new bike, Bautista and Ducati’s satellite tv for pc riders are at a drawback to the manufacturing facility riders in the intervening time. Whereas Brega and Iker Lecuona had been capable of trip the 2026 bike throughout post-season testing in Jerez final October, the satellite tv for pc rider has not been capable of trip a WorldSBK-spec machine for the reason that remaining race of the 2025 season.
Bautista was capable of trip at the very least the 2026 bike throughout testing in Aragon late final summer time, and Montella additionally examined the brand new bike over the last 12 months.
