Franco Morbidelli and Manu Gonzalez are the leading contenders to fill the vacant Ducati World Superbike seat left by Nicolo Bulega, who has dominated the championship with an almost flawless record this season. Bulega has won all but one race and is on the verge of winning his first WorldSBK title before making a high-profile switch to the MotoGP paddock with Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team in 2027. Iker Lecuona has already been confirmed to remain in Ducati’s WorldSBK squad, with only one factory seat open, setting up a fierce battle between Morbidelli and Gonzalez.
Morbidelli, a former MotoGP race winner and 2020 championship runner-up, appears to be a slight favorite for the Ducati factory ride. However, the momentum of his career has faltered since his peak season, struggling with a challenging stint at factory Yamaha and a difficult debut year on Ducati machinery with Pramac, hampered by a serious pre-season concussion. Since joining VR46 last year, he has shown flashes of competitiveness, including two podium finishes, although his momentum has stalled in 2026. Aruba Ducati team principal Serafino Foti reportedly values Morbidelli’s experience and Italian nationality, which could tip the scales in his favour. Morbidelli’s regular training on a V4 Panigale street bike with the VR46 Academy means he is already familiar with Ducati’s platform, even if it is not in WorldSBK specification. In particular, WorldSBK’s recent change to Michelin tires could be to Morbidelli’s benefit, potentially accelerating his adaptation and giving Ducati a strategic edge in mastering the new rubber.
On the other hand, Manu Gonzalez, who currently leads the Moto2 championship with 51.5 points, faces an uncertain future despite his great form. His prospects of graduating to MotoGP are looking bleak, with his teammate Senna Agius having reportedly secured a position with Tech 3, leading Gonzalez to consider WorldSBK as the most viable factory option. Gonzalez has a strong pedigree in the WorldSBK feeder series, having claimed the World Supersport 300 title in 2019 and finishing third in World Supersport in 2021. Reluctant to spend a sixth season in Moto2, the absence of Michelin tire experience could hinder his transition to WorldSBK, where established riders like Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder (rumored to join BMW next season) already have valuable familiarity with the new tyres.
Although all factory seats seem locked up for the immediate future, Gonzalez’s consistent performance in Moto2 could open up further opportunities through 2028, especially with contracts expiring for key riders such as Toprak Razgatlioglu at Yamaha and Johann Zarco at LCR Honda. The battle for the Ducati WorldSBK seat between Morbidelli and Gonzalez promises to be a defining moment not only for the riders but also for Ducati’s ambitions in the extremely competitive World Superbike Championship.
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