2026 World Supersport Phillip Island entry list

The FIM Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP) kicks off this weekend at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, with the entry list confirmed ahead of the Australian round. Of the 33 total riders in this year’s championship, 28 will be in action at Phillip Island, with the other five restricted to the Europe-only WorldSSP Challenge.

The grid is largely as per what was released in November, but a few minor changes have been made.

With 2025 WorldSSP Champion, Stefano Manzi, stepping up to World Superbikes (WorldSBK) this season, there will be no #1 plate on the grid. Most of last year’s title contenders remain, though, led by Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) and Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) who finished second and third, respectively. Fourth last year, Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Racing) should be a contender, too.

Other returning riders include Valentin Debise (ZXMoto Factory Evan Bros Racing), Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team), Philip Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team), Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) and Xavi Cardelus (Cerba Yamaha Racing Team).

Dominique Aegerter makes a comeback to the class after three seasons in WorldSBK on a Yamaha. A two-time champion in his previous stint in WorldSSP, Aegerter will be on a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R for the Kawasaki WorldSSP Team.

Absent from the 2026 grid after decent performances last year are Bo Bendsneyder and Marcel Schroetter. Bendsneyder has switched to the FIM Endurance World Championship, while Schroetter will race in the IDM German Superbike Championship.

These departures have opened the door to some new faces, with Ricardo Rossi, Albert Arenas and Borja Jimenez all set to make their WorldSSP debuts at Phillip Island. Both Rossi (Renzi Corse) and Arenas (AS bLU cRU Racing Team) come to the class from the Grand Prix paddock. Rossi spent seven years in Moto3, where his best race result was third and best championship placing 14th, while Arenas is a former Moto3 World Champion (2020) and a five-year veteran of Moto2. In those five years, Arenas couldn’t replicate his Moto3 form, with a best race result of second at last year’s Italian Moto2 Grand Prix.

Jimenez replaces Petr Svoboda at WRP Racing, and comes to the class from Spanish Superstock, European Superstock and the Moto2 European Championship.

While not rookies, there are also a handful of riders on this year’s full-time grid with very little WorldSSP experience – less than 10 races in most cases. These “near-rookies” include Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) who was a title contender in the MotoE World Championship and rode in two rounds last season for a best finish of 13th. Josh Whatley (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) spent the last two rounds of 2025 on an MV Agusta, but will be on a Ducati Panigale V2 for his first full season in the class. The 20-year-old Brit has spent time in Moto3 and the Moto2 European Championship.

Jacopo Cretaro (Flembbo by Racing Development) first dipped his toe into WorldSSP in 2017, then again in 2024. Between those stints, the Italian raced in national and European championships, including European Moto2 and Moto3. Competing in the Junior GP Superstock Championship last year, Cretaro achieved a race win and two other podiums.

Finally, Andrea Giombini (Motozoo by Madforce Dubai) gets a full-time ride after three rounds with D34G WorldSSP Racing Team last year. Across those rounds, Giombini’s best placing was 21st.

Oli Bayliss will be the sole Australian in WorldSSP for 2026. As previously reported, the 22-year-old has retained his seat with PTR Triumph Factory Racing alongside Tom Booth-Amos for 2026. The Aussie secured a pair of seventh place finishes at last year’s local round, then his best-ever result in the class – fourth - at the Hungarian round. A championship placing of 14th in 2025 equalled his best finish in the championship, which was achieved the previous year.

In a promising sign for the weekend ahead, Bayliss finished second fastest on both days of the pre-season test at Phillip Island earlier this week.

The 2026 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship gets underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from 20-22 February. For more details on the Australian round, including schedule and ticketing options, click HERE.