The season in the World Superbike Championship is underway but it is time, slowly, for some riders and teams to start making decisions about the future and there are some names in the spotlight, with some big news expected to be announced, hopefully, in the coming weeks.
While some riders are already secure for the next season, others are not in the same place and have their future still to be defined.
Who has a guaranteed seat?
The easiest starting point is to know who already has a contract for 2025 in their pocket. Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is under contract for next year, as well as the Pata Prometeon Yamaha duo, Jonathan Rea and Andrea Locatelli. At Team HRC, the renewal of Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge was announced for two years, covering the seasons of 2024 and 2025. It was confirmed by Kenan Sofuoglu and Shaun Muir that Toprak Razgatlioglu’s contract (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) spans this and next season.
What about… Bautista?
The current world champion is indeed one of the riders who has not yet decided whether he will continue to race or retire. The Spanish rider said in an interview that: ‘I have nothing in mind’, and that he will continue to race as long as he enjoys it, but he is not in a hurry to make a decision. However, in his media encounter on Friday, Bautista made a contradictory statement by saying that he wants to decide soon: ‘If the top management of Ducati wants me, it is always a pleasure! I am focused on racing at my best. I think I will make a decision soon for myself and my team’.
Superbike grid for 2025… with some vacancies:
Aruba.it Racing – Ducati: Nicolò Bulega and another, currently unknown;
Pata Prometeon Yamaha: Jonathan Rea and Andrea Locatelli
Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team: Axel Bassani and another, currently unknown;
Team HRC: Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge
ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: Toprak Razgatlioglu and another, currently unknown;
