The 2026 campaign marks the final MotoGP season for a cohort of five seasoned competitors—Maverick Vinales, Alex Rins, Jack Miller, Brad Binder, and Franco Morbidelli—born between 1994 and 1995, all of whom have secured grand prix victories at the highest level.
Collectively, these riders boast 25 premier class wins and 84 victories across all three championship categories, highlighted by Morbidelli’s 2017 Moto2 crown and the Moto3 titles captured by Vinales (2013) and Binder (2016).
Three of the five will transition to the World Superbike Championship, also operated by the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group.
Australia’s Jack Miller heads to the factory Yamaha squad, the same manufacturer he has represented through Pramac Racing over the past two seasons.
Miller departs after 12 premier class campaigns and four victories.
Binder’s move to WorldSBK has been formally confirmed. After 16 years in world championship competition—including seven seasons in MotoGP—the South African leaves KTM to join BMW’s factory WorldSBK program.
Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images
He will partner Miguel Oliveira, who switched from MotoGP to WorldSBK this year following 15 seasons in the premier-class paddock.
Morbidelli’s transfer has yet to be formally announced, though he is committed to the Ducati factory squad, replacing Nicolo Bulega aboard the bike that has won 26 of 27 races this season.
After nine years in the premier class, Morbidelli seeks fresh challenges. The Italian finished runner-up in the 2020 MotoGP championship and has three premier class victories.
These high-profile moves are expected to strengthen WorldSBK’s competitiveness and broaden its appeal.
A significant incentive for riders switching championships is Michelin’s appointment as sole tyre supplier in WorldSBK, replacing Pirelli, which will become MotoGP’s tyre partner.
Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images
Vinales and Rins decline WorldSBK
The other path is taken by Spaniards Vinales and Rins, who have rejected the production-based series.
Tech3 KTM’s Vinales stated unequivocally in a social media post: “Stop writing stupid articles about me: I will not race in SBK and I will finish the year as stated in my contract.”
That contract concludes his MotoGP career. The 10-time grand prix winner has not ridden since retiring from the Sachsenring race on 12 July.
WorldSBK similarly failed to attract Rins, who received an offer from GoEleven to race a Ducati Panigale V4 but declined. The Barcelona-born rider will step away from motorcycle racing temporarily at season’s end, seeking a different challenge in car racing.
Statistics
Rider
MotoGP wins
Total wins
Titles
Seasons*
M. Vinales
10
26
Moto3 (2013)
16 (12+4)
A. Rins
6
18
–
15 (10+5)
J. Miller
4
10
–
16 (12+4)
F. Morbidelli
3
11
Moto2 (2017)
14 (9+5)
B. Binder
2
17
Moto3 (2016)
16 (7+9)
* Total seasons in the world championship (MotoGP + other categories)
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