Morbidelli switches to WorldSBK
Franco Morbidelli leaves MotoGP to join Ducati's factory WorldSBK team for 2027.
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Key Points
1
Morbidelli was chosen over Moto2 frontrunner Manu Gonzalez for the factory WorldSBK seat.
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Morbidelli will partner Iker Lecuona at Aruba.it Racing – Ducati in 2027.
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Ducati has dominated the 2026 WorldSBK season: Nicolò Bulega had won all but four races with two rounds remaining, and teammate Iker Lecuona was the only rider to beat him.
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In his 2020 MotoGP runner-up season, Morbidelli won three Grands Prix and finished 13 points behind champion Joan Mir.
Ducati has signed Franco Morbidelli to its factory Aruba.it Racing team for the 2027 World Superbike Championship, ending his nine-year MotoGP career. The 31-year-old Italian will replace Nicolò Bulega, who is moving to VR46 in MotoGP, and team up with Iker Lecuona msv.com.
Morbidelli brings three MotoGP wins and significant experience to the superbike grid. Ducati cited his technical expertise and familiarity with the brand as key reasons for the signing, especially as WorldSBK introduces new Michelin tires in 2027 crash.net.
From MotoGP to WorldSBK: Morbidelli's New Chapter
Morbidelli departs MotoGP after nine seasons in the premier class. His career highlights include winning the 2017 Moto2 championship and finishing runner-up in MotoGP in 2020, when he scored three Grand Prix victories and finished just 13 points behind champion Joan Mir motorsportweek.com.
The switch marks a significant move for the Italian rider. Rather than compete in lower series, Morbidelli will step directly into the factory Ducati WorldSBK operation, where he can leverage his Ducati experience gained over several seasons in MotoGP uk.headtopics.com.
Ducati's Dominance Continues Into Superbike Racing
Ducati is the clear powerhouse in WorldSBK heading into 2027. Nicolò Bulega has won all but four races with two rounds remaining in the 2026 season, while teammate Iker Lecuona is the only rider to have beaten him motorsportweek.com.
By keeping Lecuona and adding Morbidelli, Ducati aims to maintain its competitive edge. The pairing of two experienced riders gives the team strong technical input as the championship adapts to new tire specifications autohebdof1.com.
Morbidelli Chosen Over Moto2 Frontrunner Gonzalez
Ducati passed on Moto2 leader Manu Gonzalez to sign Morbidelli for the factory seat. The decision reflects Ducati's priority: experienced riders who can provide immediate technical feedback and help the team adapt to major regulation changes crash.net.
Morbidelli expressed enthusiasm for the challenge, stating he aims to help Aruba.it Racing continue its winning streak. His proven ability to win at the highest level in MotoGP positions him as a credible contender in the WorldSBK series msv.com.
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