We had already anticipated the news in the past few weeks, now it's official: Lorenzo Baldassarri will be returning to racing in World Superbike. After his previous adventure with GMT94's Yamaha, next season the rider from the Marche will be at the start of the World Championship with Go Eleven's Ducati V4, picking up the baton left by Andrea Iannone.
Below is the declaration issued by the team.
Lorenzo Baldassari, winner of five Moto2 World Championship races and runner-up in the 2022 Supersport World Championship, will officially return to the WorldSBK Championship, joining the project of the team led by Gianni Ramello and Denis Sacchetti. It’s a fresh start for both parties: Lorenzo relaunching his career on the world stage after a brief but successful year in MotoE, while Go Eleven faces a new challenge aboard the highly anticipated 2026 version of the Borgo Panigale bike. “Balda” will be experiencing his first experience with the Ducati Superbike and the new generation of Pirelli tyres, which have evolved over the last two years; the primary goal will be to improve the package, although he had the opportunity to test the road version and immediately found himself at ease on it.
The challenge is exciting, the choice is intriguing, the idea is to start again with a young rider and gradually climb the rankings, improving over the course of the season; for Balda, it’s a chance to show his talent and earn his place in WorldSBK!
Team Owner Gianni Ramello is full of anticipation for this new challenge: “I had the opportunity to personally follow the negotiations with Lorenzo, and I’m happy and motivated to welcome him to my team. I don’t think he’s ever had a real chance to show his potential in WorldSBK, but I hope he can do so with us. He’s a rider who had won in Moto2, constantly on the podium in the Supersport World Championship, and I believe he can create a great atmosphere within the team; working with young riders is an extra motivation for me. I can’t wait to see him in action, and we’re also waiting for the new V4 to be delivered so we can organize the first winter tests. We’re starting with no expectations, and I hope to improve race after race, but I’m aware that it will take a period of adaptation to the category and to Ducati. Welcome, Lorenzo!”
His words were then echoed by Denis Sacchetti: “We’re thrilled to welcome Baldassarri to Go Eleven. Lorenzo has proven he can ride very fast in recent years, and his performances prove it, even if recent seasons weren’t really positive. We’re convinced he has the potential to be a surprise in the WorldSBK championship. He’s still young, but at the same time he has the right experience to take on this challenge. Speaking with him, I found a guy with the hunger to reach the top, aware that it will be a long and challenging journey, but his mentality is right. He’ll have the latest version of the Panigale and full Ducati support. We’ll have the first official tests with the new bike in January, and we’re all excited to begin this adventure.”
Finally, Lorenzo Baldassarri expressed his joy about this new opportunity: “I’m very happy that this opportunity has become true. I thank the Team, all the people who believed in the project and those who have always been by my side. I’m motivated and excited. I’ve had some difficult years, but this year I’ve relaunched myself in MotoE, a somewhat unusual championship, but one in which I managed to return to the top and onto the podium. Now I’ll go to Portimao to fight for the title. I can’t wait to start the new season with Go Eleven, because I think it’s an excellent team, both familiar and professional at the same time, putting me in the position to show my potential, with the goal of a growing season. We’ll have to work and improve gradually, but at the beginning I’ll want to enjoy the bike, the 2026 V4-R, which will be an extraordinary bike. I had the chance to race with the road version and I immediately felt comfortable, I think the racing version is a step up. Now I’m focused on preparing for the season as best as possible, having a good pre-season with the Team, to come to Australia ready: Phillip Island is my favorite track, it can’t wait for the first race!”