WorldSBK finale in Jerez: BMW says «Grazie, Petrux» – and saves third place in the manufacturers' standings.

2 days ago

4 min read

The 2026 Superbike World Championship finale in Jerez de la Frontera was all about saying goodbye for BMW Motorrad Motorsport: Danilo Petrucci contested his final races on the BMW M 1000 RR. On track, the weekend was a struggle – but in the very last race Miguel Oliveira scored exactly the points BMW needed for third place in the manufacturers' championship. By a margin of just one single point.

An emotional farewell on the Paddock Show stage

For Danilo Petrucci – simply «Petrux» to fans and the paddock – Jerez was his last outing with the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. On Saturday evening the Italian was given a fitting send-off: team and fans gathered on the big stage of the WorldSBK Paddock Show and thanked the crowd favourite with heartfelt words for his efforts on the #9 BMW M 1000 RR.

Petrucci himself was visibly moved. Racing for Europe's biggest motorcycle manufacturer had been a dream for him, he said. The results fell short of what everyone had hoped for, but everybody gave their best: «I'm a bit lost for words, but I'm really happy.»

Race weekend: a technical failure, a fightback and a crucial tenth place

The season finale was anything but easy for BMW. Qualifying already didn't go to plan – Oliveira started the weekend from 13th, Petrucci from 15th.

Race 1 (Saturday): Oliveira was forced to retire due to a technical issue. Petrucci took the chequered flag in 17th.
Superpole Race (Sunday morning): Oliveira fought his way up to 11th, Petrucci finished 19th.
Race 2 (Sunday afternoon): In the final race of the season – with rain arriving late on – Oliveira made it into the top ten. Petrucci finished his last WorldSBK race for BMW in 20th.

Oliveira's tenth place was worth its weight in gold: those points secured third place in the manufacturers' championship for BMW – 184 to 183, as close as it gets, ahead of Yamaha.

Oliveira still drew a positive conclusion. The team tried a change on Sunday that paid off in the second race. After the difficult qualifying and Saturday's retirement, he was pleased with the progress – and can hardly wait for winter testing. He also had warm words for Petrucci: a great teammate who will be missed.

Ducati dominance at the front

At the front, Jerez – like much of the season – was painted red. Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) won Superpole and all three races, setting a new lap record of 1:37.196 in the Superpole Race. Second and third places went to Iker Lecuona and Sam Lowes, both also on Ducati.

Bulega is crowned a dominant world champion with 726 points, 163 clear of teammate Lecuona. The best-placed BMW rider in the overall standings is Miguel Oliveira in 11th.

«An emotional rollercoaster»: what BMW's management says

Sven Blusch, Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, described the season as an emotional rollercoaster. Alongside several podium finishes, it was above all the serious injuries to Oliveira and Petrucci that shaped the year. Now the focus turns to the future: in 2027 BMW will line up with Miguel Oliveira and new signing Brad Binder. Blusch praised Petrucci as a true fighter who never gave up – he will always remain part of the BMW family: «Grazie, Danilo!»

Christian Gonschor, Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport, spoke of a season of highs and lows. The goal of winning races was missed, and at times the team had to do without both factory riders. Yet performance was often better than the results suggest – in many races the M 1000 RR was faster than in 2025. The task now is to consistently convert that speed into results. Gonschor draws confidence above all from the regulation change: 2027 brings new rules and a new motorcycle – and with them new opportunities.

On track, 2026 remains a below-par WorldSBK season for BMW – shaped by injuries and an overpowering Ducati armada. Still, the narrowly defended third place in the manufacturers' standings is a conciliatory end. With Brad Binder joining from MotoGP, a new bike and fresh regulations, the signs for 2027 point to a fresh start. And Petrux? He leaves as one of the most likeable riders in the paddock – grazie!