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Morbidelli prepares for WorldSBK move in 2027

The three-time MotoGP race winner will join Aruba.it Racing – Ducati after eight seasons in MotoGP.

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On 6 October 2026, WorldSBK reported that Franco Morbidelli will join Aruba.it Racing – Ducati for the 2027 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, making his debut in the series.

Morbidelli described the move as a significant opportunity after a difficult MotoGP year. He is set to replace Nicolo Bulega, the 2026 World Superbike Champion, who will move to MotoGP with the VR46 Racing Team.

Aiming to make the most of Ducati opportunity

Speaking at Cremona while visiting the event where Bulega was crowned 2026 champion, Morbidelli said he hoped to use Ducati’s opportunity well and return to winning. He identified the Aruba Ducati package as capable of winning, while making clear that this was his aim rather than a guaranteed outcome.

The Italian arrives after eight seasons in MotoGP with Yamaha and Ducati. WorldSBK described him as a three-time MotoGP race winner.

Lecuona and a familiar group of rivals

Morbidelli is scheduled to race alongside Iker Lecuona at Aruba.it Racing – Ducati in 2027. He called his future teammate a strong rider and said he already knew many competitors from racing against them over the years.

The WorldSBK report also identified Miguel Oliveira, Jack Miller and Brad Binder among the riders Morbidelli will encounter in the 2027 field. Oliveira is due to race for ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.

New bike and championship format

Morbidelli said adapting to a new motorcycle and learning the championship would bring several challenges. WorldSBK’s format differs from MotoGP: it does not use MotoGP’s Q1 and Q2 qualifying system, and its weekends feature three races rather than the two cited in the report for MotoGP.

He said he hoped to learn quickly, with support from his new team, but did not identify one challenge as the biggest.

A return to his racing roots

Morbidelli has previous experience in the WorldSBK paddock. He made his STK600 debut in 2011, took his first pole position and podium in the class in 2012, and won the 2013 STK600 title with five podiums and two victories, according to WorldSBK.

Those results led to opportunities in Moto2 and then MotoGP. Morbidelli described returning to the paddock as a return to his motorcycle-racing roots.

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The details of Morbidelli’s 2027 campaign will unfold after his transition to WorldSBK; his comments on 6 October 2026 set out his ambitions and the adjustments he expects to face.

Byline

Rafael Moura

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