Major WorldSBK grid slots filled as Oliveira joins the ROKiT BMW squad, with another big name to join the Pata Maxus Yamaha official team
BMW has completed its factory line-up for the 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship, confirming Miguel Oliveira will step across from MotoGP to the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. The Portuguese rider will partner recent signing Danilo Petrucci on the BMW M 1000 RR.
Oliveira, 30, brings seven seasons of premier-class experience and a strong record of five MotoGP wins plus four additional podiums. He began his world championship journey in 2011 in the 125cc class, raced in Moto3 from 2012, and became a mainstay in Moto2 between 2016 and 2018 before graduating to MotoGP in 2019. The 2026 campaign will mark his first full-time tilt at WorldSBK as a BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory rider.
Shaun Muir (ROKiT Team Manager)
“I’m delighted we can finally announce the signing of Miguel Oliveira to the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Miguel has enjoyed an impressive career in MotoGP, and his arrival in WorldSBK is one of the most anticipated in recent years. We strongly believe he has the character, temperament, and skill set to take the BMW M 1000 RR to the very top and to continue the excellent work that Toprak has delivered over the last two seasons. We look forward to the first opportunity to get him on the bike. In the meantime, our focus remains on finishing this championship as strongly as possible and building on that success as we move into 2026.”
Sven Blusch (Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport)
“We are very happy to welcome Miguel Oliveira as a new factory rider for our ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Miguel has impressively proven throughout his career that he three Grand Prix classes, including five in MotoGP, he brings valuable experience and a high level of professionalism to our project. Together with Danilo Petrucci, his new teammate, he forms a strong and competitive rider duo. The two already know each other well. This constellation gives us the opportunity to take the next steps in our development and to further reinforce BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s ambitions in WorldSBK. The entire team is very much looking forward to working with him. But for now, our focus is on the remaining races of this season, with big goals: we want to win the world championship title again with Toprak Razgatlioglu and build on Michael van der Mark’s strong performance at Magny-Cours in order to also play a decisive role in the battle for the manufacturers’ title. Michael’s time in our WorldSBK project will come to an end after this season. I would like to sincerely thank him for his commitment, his successes and his achievements during his five years in our WorldSBK team. We are currently working on opportunities for further collaboration with him within the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family and would be delighted to move into a new future together with him.”
Miguel Oliviera
“To join the BMW family in the World Superbike Championship is an exciting step in my career, one in which I see tremendous potential. I am becoming part of a project that is not only ambitious and competitive, but has also made a significant impact on both the championship and the motorcycle industry. Being involved with a new team, working alongside strong partners, and embracing a new championship format gives me great motivation to deliver my very best. I want to sincerely thank Mr. Sven Blusch, Technical Director Chris Gonschor and Team Principal Shaun Muir for their trust and enthusiasm. I can’t wait to begin this new chapter together.”
Oliveira’s arrival finalises BMW’s 2026 WorldSBK roster alongside Petrucci, signalling a renewed factory push as the brand targets front-running form with its latest-spec M 1000 RR.
Meanwhile, Yamaha Motor Europe has confirmed Xavi Vierge will step into the factory Yamaha WorldSBK squad for 2026, having ridden with the factory HRC squad for the past 4 years. The 28-year-old Spaniard, a race winner and podium finisher across Moto2 and WorldSBK, will make his first outing on the R1 at a post-season test in Jerez following the 2025 finale next month.
Vierge completes Yamaha’s refreshed 2026 rider roster. He will join Andrea Locatelli in the Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team, while Remy Gardner and new signing Stefano Manzi will line up for the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team.
Niccolò Canepa (Yamaha Motor Europe Road Racing Sporting Manager)
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Xavi Vierge that will see him join the Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team for 2026. He brings a lot of experience to our project, both from within Superbike and his time in Grand Prix racing. We are excited to see what he can achieve and look forward to starting our journey together. Through the winter, we will continue to work hard on developing the R1 and with Vierge joining Locatelli at Pata Maxus Yamaha and Manzi moving up from Supersport to join Gardner at GYTR GRT Yamaha, we have four young and hungry riders on the bike next year which is an exciting prospect.”
