Alvaro Bautista has lofty ambitions ahead of his debut WorldSBK season with Barni Spark Racing in 2026.
The two-time WorldSBK champion will ride a familiar Ducati in 2026, but with a new team, as he and team-mate Yari Montella receive factory support for the upcoming season.
Both riders will pilot the brand-new V4 R, a challenge for all Ducati riders, and an opportunity the 41-year-old believes could return him to the title fight.
“I’m very excited about this new challenge. There will definitely be many changes, a new team and a new working group,” Bautista shared at Barni Spark’s livery unveiling.
“It won’t be easy at the start, but I believe with commitment and ambition everything is achievable. I’m also very happy to join the Barni family because, from the outside, it feels like a very united team, constantly growing and increasingly competitive.
“Barni is someone who wants to win and is very determined, a great motivation for the riders. I believe we can do a great job together. I feel very pumped, both physically and mentally, and I’m ready to give 100%.
“We need to work on finding the right feeling and understanding how to best manage the new bike.
“Official Ducati support is also fundamental and adds great value. I’m very excited and hope that, together, we can achieve great results and positions, but above all, have fun doing our job.”
Despite the team’s prominence in the series, Barni Spark Racing boss Marco Barnabo will be working with a WorldSBK champion for the first time.
Barnabo believes working with the Spaniard will help the satellite entity reach a new level of competitiveness.
“We are extremely pleased to have brought a rider of Alvaro Bautista’s calibre into the team,” shared Barnabo.
“A three-time World Champion [125cc and two-time WorldSBK champion], we are confident that we can achieve strong results with him and that his experience will help us grow further, taking another step forward in terms of competitiveness.
“What I particularly admire about Bautista is his incredible determination and commitment, which he shows every single day despite having already achieved extraordinary success.
“It is truly an exemplary attitude. He deserves to achieve excellent results, and we will work tirelessly to reach them together.”
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