Five-time Australian Superbike champion Josh Waters will represent Australia at World Ducati Week 2026, joining a star-studded Ducati field at Misano for the Lenovo Race of Champions
Ducati Australia has announced that five-time Australian Superbike Champion Josh Waters will join an elite line-up of Ducati riders at the Lenovo Race of Champions during World Ducati Week 2026 at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on July 4 and 5, 2026.
Held as part of Ducati’s centenary celebrations, this year’s Race of Champions is set to be the biggest edition yet. Since debuting in 2018, the event has brought together Ducati’s top talents from MotoGP and World Superbike competition to race identical Ducati machinery.
Waters, one of Australia’s most accomplished motorcycle racers, currently races the Ducati Panigale V4 R for Craig McMartin Racing in the Australian Superbike Championship. His invitation to represent Australia on the global stage recognises his achievements and continued success, while also underlining Ducati’s commitment to celebrating riders from across its international racing community.
“It’s an incredible honour for Josh Waters to be invited to the Lenovo Race of Champions,” said Alana Baratto, Head of Marketing at Ducati Australia. “As a five-time Australian Superbike Champion, Josh embodies the passion, performance and racing excellence that define Ducati around the world. To see him involved in our centenary celebrations at World Ducati Week makes this occasion even more meaningful for both Ducati Australia and Australian Ducatisti.”
The 2026 event will run under a revised format aimed at increasing competition and fan engagement. Free Practice and Qualifying are scheduled for Saturday, July 4, followed by Warm-Up and the Official Race on Sunday, July 5. Every rider will compete aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 S, the same model that recorded a 1’35”0 benchmark lap by Andrea Iannone two years ago, less than four seconds shy of Marc Márquez’s official record of 1’31″290 set in 2025.
Waters will line up against a remarkable field that includes Marc Márquez, Francesco Bagnaia, Michele Pirro, Alex Márquez, Fermín Aldeguer, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Franco Morbidelli, Nicolò Bulega, Álvaro Bautista, Cameron Beaubier and Hafizh Syahrin.
His participation gives Australian fans the chance to see one of the country’s finest riders take on some of the biggest names in international motorcycle racing at one of the most significant celebrations in Ducati history.
“Being part of Ducati’s 100th anniversary celebrations at Misano is something truly special,” said Josh Waters. “To line up alongside some of the world’s best Ducati riders and represent Australia on such a significant occasion is an incredible experience. I am looking forward to embracing the passion that makes Ducati unique and being part of what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable Race of Champions.”
World Ducati Week 2026 marks 100 years of Ducati innovation, performance and racing heritage, with a packed program of on-track action, fan experiences and celebrations bringing together the global Ducati community at Misano.
