While in MotoGP the market has almost closed its doors, in Superbike it has practically not yet started and the reason is quite simple: Ducati Aruba has not yet decided whether or not to continue with Alvaro Bautista and all or almost all the other riders are therefore on stand by.
Negotiation in progress
The reigning champion is not in the best position to protect his interests: his championship position is decidedly weaker than a year ago, not only because Toprak Razgatlioglu is dominating, but also because Nicolò Bulega is doing better than him. It is true that Alvaro is paying for the difficulties of racing with a handicap with a burden that penalises him significantly, but however unfair the rule may be, it remains something he has to deal with. Ducati has not yet turned the page and would still be of the idea of proposing an agreement to Alvaro, but it seems that the meeting between supply and demand is complicated. Hence the survey with Jack Miller, which would be a major coup, also in terms of communication and promotion for the category. The Australian, however, still retains some hope of racing in MotoGP, even if the last two free seats are in Yamaha-Pramac and Aprilia-Trackhouse. Neither team, however, has any particular interest in signing an experienced rider, with a preference for rookies with high hopes.
At the moment, therefore, the market for other Ducati riders is also rather rigid: Petrucci and Iannone have not lost hope of a seat in the official team, or at least they are in no hurry to agree on a future in Barni and Go Eleven which remains possible even further down the line.
The non-Ducati
For those who are not aiming for or are not coming from the Panigale V4R, there are several options on the table: Yamaha GRT will probably have a bike, since Dominique Aegerter is unlikely to be confirmed. However, the two BMWs will not occupy his seat: Scott Redding is evaluating all the options on the table, which however are not that numerous at the moment. Kawasaki was an idea, but a return to British Superbike or an agreement with the MGM team (which perhaps will have a Ducati available) could be easier, also because Garrett Gerloff is the rider Puccetti will be aiming for. If a second ZX-10RR for the Italian team also comes to fruition, there is a chance that Michael Ruben Rinaldi will ride it.