Alex Rins, the Yamaha MotoGP rider, is reportedly close to signing a deal to race for GoEleven Ducati in the Superbike World Championship next year, sources said Monday. The move follows Rins losing his Monster Yamaha MotoGP seat for the 2027 season, prompting him to seek opportunities in WorldSBK amid Ducati’s current championship dominance.
Sources close to the negotiations said Monday that both Alex Rins and GoEleven Ducati appear cautiously optimistic about reaching an agreement for the 2027 Superbike World Championship season. While no official announcement has been made, the talks are reportedly at an advanced stage, with Rins poised to join the independent Ducati satellite team rather than the factory Aruba.it Racing squad.
According to journalist Riccardo Guglielmetti, the week leading up to Aug. 24, 2026, is shaping up to be decisive in finalizing the deal.
Rins lost his Monster Yamaha MotoGP seat for the 2027 season after Yamaha confirmed an all-new factory line-up featuring Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura, according to Crash.net reports from July 9, 2026. Following the announcement, Rins acknowledged his exit from MotoGP and expressed intent to pursue opportunities in WorldSBK, stating he was “trying to find something in WorldSBK.” The departure of Rins and other riders marks a significant reshuffle in Yamaha’s premier-class roster for the upcoming season.
The GoEleven team, which runs Ducati Panigale-based machinery, offers Rins a competitive platform amid Ducati’s current dominance in WorldSBK. Ducati riders Nicolo Bulega and Iker Lecuona lead the championship standings, underscoring the manufacturer’s strength in the series. Bulega recently re-signed with the Aruba.it factory team, while Lecuona has been confirmed as a factory Ducati signing for 2027, effectively closing top-tier Ducati seats and positioning GoEleven as the most likely destination for Rins.
According to records and reports, Yamaha’s 2026 WorldSBK roster is already finalized, with factory riders Andrea Locatelli and Xavi Vierge confirmed alongside satellite riders Remy Gardner, Stefano Manzi, Bahattin Sofuoglu, and Mattia Rato. This leaves no available Yamaha WorldSBK seats for Rins, making a Ducati-aligned team like GoEleven his most viable option to transition into Superbikes. Motorsportweek and WorldSBK.com coverage also indicate that other factory seats across BMW and Honda have largely been filled for 2026, further narrowing alternatives for displaced MotoGP riders.
Ducati’s strategy of recruiting former MotoGP riders to WorldSBK is exemplified by prior interest in Jack Miller, who was reportedly considered for a factory WorldSBK seat before extending his contract with Pramac Yamaha. Similarly, Ducati’s factory seat vacated by Alvaro Bautista has attracted contenders such as Franco Morbidelli and Manu Gonzalez, while Rins’ potential move to GoEleven highlights the manufacturer’s broader approach to integrating ex-MotoGP talent into its WorldSBK program.
The timeline of Rins’ negotiations corresponds with a multi-season transition pattern between MotoGP and WorldSBK. Initial reports of Rins’ MotoGP exit and WorldSBK ambitions surfaced in July 2026, with the latest developments in August marking a critical phase in contract discussions. Ducati’s factory team plans, including Bulega’s renewal and Lecuona’s signing, were announced in mid-2025, setting the framework for satellite teams like GoEleven to pursue riders such as Rins for the 2027 season.
As of late August 2026, no formal contract has been signed or publicly confirmed by Rins or GoEleven Ducati. Sources emphasize that while negotiations are progressing well, the situation remains unofficial until a team or manufacturer announcement is issued. The coming weeks are expected to clarify Rins’ future and confirm whether he will join the WorldSBK grid with GoEleven Ducati in 2027.
