MotoGP Exit for Oliveira & Chantra Confirmed as BMW, Honda Announce 2026 WorldSBK Line-ups

The 2026 World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK) will welcome two major signings as Miguel Oliveira and Somkiat Chantra make the switch from MotoGP. Both riders, currently competing in the premier Grand Prix category, will bring their experience to the production-based series. Oliveira has signed with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, where he will race alongside Danilo Petrucci in a fully renewed factory line-up. Meanwhile, Honda Racing Corporation has confirmed Chantra as its new factory rider, pairing him with Jake Dixon for the upcoming season. These moves mark significant changes for the two manufacturers as they restructure their rider projects with long-term ambitions in mind.

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Oliveira, a MotoGP regular since 2019, joins BMW with a proven track record that includes five race victories and stints with KTM, Aprilia and most recently Pramac Yamaha. His arrival comes as a replacement for Toprak Razgatlioglu, who will return to MotoGP in 2026 after a single season in WorldSBK. Oliveira’s wealth of experience and adaptability are expected to be important for BMW, which is counting on his development skills to strengthen its competitiveness and secure more regular podium challenges in the seasons ahead.

BMW’s rebuild does not stop with Oliveira. The team has retained Danilo Petrucci to form an all-new factory pairing for 2026, signalling a new direction after the departures of both Razgatlioglu and Michael van der Mark. Petrucci, who has experience across MotoGP, WorldSBK and endurance racing, complements Oliveira with versatility and established production-bike knowledge. BMW’s revised line-up represents a clear shift towards experience and adaptability, designed to elevate their position in the WorldSBK order.

On Honda’s side, Chantra’s confirmation brings a first for the championship. Following his season with the satellite LCR Honda team in MotoGP, he will become the first Thai rider to secure a full-time seat in a WorldSBK factory team. His inclusion underlines Honda’s commitment to increasing Asian representation, while also injecting fresh momentum into its project. Teaming up with Jake Dixon, a race winner in Moto2 with prior British Superbike experience, Honda now fields a balanced mix of rising and seasoned talent.

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For Oliveira and Chantra, the exits from MotoGP signify a new stage in their careers, while for BMW and Honda, these signings represent broader strategies to close the gap to their rivals. The moves also highlight the increased attraction of WorldSBK as a destination for high-profile riders seeking competitive opportunities. With both manufacturers resetting their ambitions, the 2026 season is shaping up as an important chapter that could influence the direction of the championship in years to come.