Alvaro Bautista will no longer ride for Barni Ducati in the 2027 WorldSBK season after the Italian team confirmed the signing of Xavi Vierge for next year. The announcement ends speculation about the satellite Ducati team's lineup and marks the conclusion of Bautista's tenure with Barni after a challenging single season.
Vierge's move to Barni came after Pata Yamaha decided not to retain him for next season. The Yamaha seat will be filled by Jack Miller, the former MotoGP rider who is switching to WorldSBK. This situation opened the door for Barni to recruit Vierge, who is considered an experienced rider with significant potential. Meanwhile, Barni needed a replacement for Bautista, who underperformed in 2026 with only one podium and a best dry result of fourth in an injury-hit first campaign outside a factory team in WorldSBK.
Vierge will join Yari Montella, who has been confirmed to stay for a third season with the satellite Ducati team after stepping up from Supersport in 2025. The pairing of Vierge and Montella is expected to boost the team's performance in the highly competitive WorldSBK field. "I am very happy to join Barni Spark Racing Team, a team with a lot of history and passion for this sport," said Vierge. "In recent years, they have demonstrated an incredible level in WorldSBK, consistently competing with the best. That's why, even though I had different options, I was clear that Barni Racing Team was the right choice. I can't wait to start working together, adapt to the bike, enjoy myself and strive to achieve our goals. I want to thank the team and sponsors for their trust in me. I will give my very best to repay that trust with great results."
Team principal Marco Barnabo added, "We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Xavi Vierge for the 2027 season. We immediately found common ground on our goals and priorities, sharing from the very beginning a clear vision of what we want to achieve together. We are ready to embark on this new journey with great motivation and determination."
Bautista, now 41, faces uncertainty over his future. The loss of his Barni seat appears to push him closer to retirement. The Spaniard was previously known as one of WorldSBK's top riders, with two world titles. However, an injury-plagued 2026 season and below-par performance have diminished his appeal in the rider market. Top teams may be reluctant to take a risk given his age, while other satellite teams have already filled their seats.
With Vierge's move, Pata Yamaha also undergoes a significant change. The arrival of Jack Miller brings valuable MotoGP experience and is expected to lift the team's performance, which was inconsistent last season. Meanwhile, Barni Ducati with the Vierge-Montella lineup will be a force to be reckoned with, especially with Ducati's continued dominance in WorldSBK in recent years.
For Bautista, remaining options are limited. He may have to seek a seat with a smaller team or switch to another championship. However, with his reputation and experience, there is still a chance he remains in WorldSBK if a team needs an experienced rider. But as official announcements from other teams draw nearer, his opportunities are shrinking. A final decision on Bautista's future is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Baca Juga
Barni Ducati resmi merekrut Xavi Vierge untuk WorldSBK 2027, sementara masa depan Alvaro Bautista semakin tidak pasti dan mendekati pensiun.
WorldSBK resmi merilis kalender sementara 2027: Valencia dan Shanghai debut, Hungaroring dan Jerez absen. Simak jadwal lengkap dan dampaknya.
WorldSBK 2027 resmi merilis kalender dengan Valencia dan Shanghai sebagai sirkuit baru. Simak jadwal lengkap dan analisis dampaknya bagi kejuaraan.
Lanjutkan dengan Google
Diskusi & Komentar (0)
Mari Bergabung dalam Diskusi!
Masuk dengan mudah untuk mulai memberikan komentar, membalas, dan berinteraksi dengan pembaca lainnya.
Komentar Terbaru
Belum ada komentar. Jadilah yang pertama!