# 2026 WorldSBK championship and rider developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-worldsbk-championship-developments > Updated: 2026-09-10T13:24:27.000Z. Sources: 55. Developments: 6. The 2026 WorldSBK season has seen significant developments regarding sponsorship and the championship race. EICMA has entered an agreement to serve as the title sponsor for the Italian round at the Cremona Circuit, scheduled for late September. In technical developments, rider Nicolò Bulega recorded fast times at Mugello using a new Ducati 850cc prototype designed for 2027 regulations. As the season progresses, Bulega has dominated the championship. During the Magny-Cours round, Bulega secured pole position and a triple victory across the Superpole Race, Race 1, and Race 2. Ducati demonstrated overwhelming strength at the event, with teammate Iker Lecuona consistently placing in the top three. With these results, Bulega has secured 26 wins out of 27 races this season, holding a 146-point lead over Lecuona with only three race weekends remaining. Regarding rider movements, Danilo Petrucci has announced his departure from BMW for the following season. The VR46 Racing Team has officially announced that Bulega will join them for his 2027 MotoGP debut. A former member of the VR46 Riders Academy, Bulega will partner with Fermín Aldeguer as a factory-supported Ducati rider. While specific contract lengths have not been officially disclosed by Ducati, reports suggest Aldeguer has signed a two-year deal, while Bulega has agreed to a one-year commitment. This move follows the departure of Franco Morbidelli from the VR46 squad, as Morbidelli is expected to transition to the WorldSBK category with the Aruba.it Racing Ducati team. The restructuring also follows Fabio Di Giannantonio’s move to Red Bull KTM. ## Claims - Nicolò Bulega won Race 1 at Magny-Cours. (corroborated by 3 sources) - This victory marks Bulega's 24th win of the 2026 season. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Iker Lecuona finished second in Race 1 at Magny-Cours. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Sam Lowes finished third in Race 1 at Magny-Cours. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Bulega set a new track record with a lap time of 1:35.030. (single source) - Bulega leads the 2026 WorldSBK championship with 516 points. (single source) - Race 1 was interrupted by a red flag following a crash by Tom Bridewell. (single source) - Iker Lecuona holds second place in the championship standings with 378 points. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: Nicolo Bulega to join VR46 Racing Team in MotoGP for 2027 Italian rider Nicolo Bulega will join the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in MotoGP for the 2027 season following a dominant run in the WorldSBK championship. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nicolo-bulega-to-join-vr46-racing-team-in-motogp-for-2027 ### 2026-09-08: VR46 Racing Team announces Nicolò Bulega for 2027 MotoGP debut Nicolò Bulega will join the VR46 Racing Team for his 2027 MotoGP debut, replacing Franco Morbidelli, who is set to move to the WorldSBK category. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vr46-racing-team-announces-franco-morbidelli-departure ### 2026-09-05: Nicolo Bulega secures hat-trick at WorldSBK Magny-Cours Nicolo Bulega completed a hat-trick at the WorldSBK French Round in Magny-Cours, securing his 26th victory of the 2026 season and moving within one win of the all-time single-season record. 30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nicol-bulega-wins-race-1-at-magny-cours-to-extend-worldsbk-lead ### 2026-09-03: Nicolò Bulega dominates WorldSBK practice at Magny-Cours Nicolò Bulega dominated the WorldSBK French Round at Magny-Cours, securing pole position and sweeping practice sessions while nearing the mathematical clinch of the 2026 championship. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nicol-bulega-leads-practice-at-magny-cours-wsbk-round ### 2026-08-31: Nicolo Bulega can clinch WorldSBK title at Magny-Cours Ducati's Nicolo Bulega can clinch the 2026 WorldSBK title this weekend at Magny-Cours if he outscores rival Iker Lecuona by 53 points. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nicolo-bulega-can-clinch-worldsbk-title-at-magny-cours ### 2026-08-12: EICMA to title sponsor WorldSBK Italian round at Cremona Circuit EICMA will title sponsor the 2026 WorldSBK Italian round at Cremona Circuit, while Nicolò Bulega leads Ducati in 850cc MotoGP testing at Mugello. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eicma-to-title-sponsor-worldsbk-italian-round-at-cremona-circuit --- Cite as: 2026 WorldSBK championship and rider developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-worldsbk-championship-developments