Tommy Bridewell makes last-minute switch to WorldSBK
Tommy Bridewell and the Superbike Advocates team are off to WorldSBK for the 2026 season.
Originally set to compete in the British Superbike championship in 2026, Tommy Bridewell is now off to WorldSBK with Ducati.
The 2023 BSB champion switched from Ducati machinery to the Honda CBR1000RR-R in 2024. But despite being a race winner with Honda Racing over the last two seasons, the British rider had already made the switch back to the Panigale V4 R for 2026, long before this announcement was made.
Bridewell, who was set to contest the 2026 BSB campaign with the championship’s new entry, Superbike Advocates, will remain with the Australian-owned team for his switch to WorldSBK.
That means 2026 will see both Bridewell and Superbike Advocates make their full-time debuts in the world championship, with the team joining the series from round two onwards.
Speaking about his move to WorldSBK, Bridewell said:
“It’s an opportunity I’ve never been given before. We were testing at Portimão, and when the bikes arrived - full WorldSBK spec - I made a jokey comment to the team to the effect of ‘wouldn’t it be nice to leave them like that and not have to remove all the electronics.’ I think this gave the team food for thought and before I knew it the entry was submitted and we were approved to compete in WorldSBK. A last-minute switch but I couldn’t be more excited.
“I want to say a huge thank you to the team for the opportunity. I think it’s all coming together and we’re in for an exciting year. Sure, I’ve got a lot to learn - I’ve been racing for many years and am going into the season as prepared as I’ve ever been, but I feel a bit like a rookie! I’m really looking forward to it though. I just couldn’t turn down this chance, and I really hope the BSB fans can get to some of the races and support me and the other British riders. Let’s see how we do.”
The 2026 WorldSBK season gets underway this weekend at Phillip Island, before round two heads to Portimao on 27-29 March.
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
