Barni Ducati Unveil 2026 Colours with Bautista

Barni Spark Racing reveal their 2026 WorldSBK livery as Alvaro Bautista begins a new chapter alongside Yari Montella on Ducati’s new bike.

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The 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship launch season is underway, and Barni Spark Racing Team became the first squad to reveal its new look for the upcoming campaign, introducing both a fresh livery and a refreshed rider line-up.

At the team’s official launch, Barni Ducati unveiled the colours that Alvaro Bautista and Yari Montella will carry into the new season, marking the start of a new era for the Italian privateer team as it fields two riders on Ducati’s latest-generation WorldSBK machine.

Bautista’s fresh start

The unveiling also marked Alvaro Bautista’s first public appearance in Barni colours following his departure from the factory Ducati outfit at the end of 2025.

The Spaniard is one of the most successful riders in recent WorldSBK history, having claimed back-to-back world titles with Ducati in 2022 and 2023, including a record-breaking 27 wins in 2023. After a difficult 2025 campaign that saw him finish third overall, Bautista now begins a new chapter — staying with Ducati machinery, but joining a new team and working environment.

Bautista also highlighted the importance of official Ducati support and the positive impression the Barni team has made on him so far.

Montella aims to build on rookie year

Alongside Bautista, Yari Montella prepares for his second WorldSBK season after a challenging but promising rookie year in 2025.

The Italian showed flashes of strong pace last season, including eight top-ten finishes, but also suffered a number of retirements and incidents that limited his overall results. With a year of experience behind him, Montella now aims to turn potential into consistency.

A major step for the team

For Team Principal Marco Barnabo, the 2026 season represents a significant milestone. Barni Spark Racing will field two riders on a brand-new Ducati WorldSBK machine: a major undertaking for a private team.

Barnabo described the signing of Bautista as a defining moment for the team.

Eyes on 2026

With a new bike, a refreshed identity, and one of the most accomplished riders in WorldSBK history joining the squad, Barni Ducati enters 2026 with renewed ambition.

Whether the team can translate that momentum into podiums and wins will be revealed when the lights go out on the new season but for now, Barni Spark Racing has firmly placed itself at the centre of attention as WorldSBK prepares for another year of elite-level competition.