After a primary season aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R with the Moto Rapido workforce within the 2025 BSB season, Leon Haslam expects to learn from staying in the identical setup in 2026.
Having completed third within the 2025 BSB championship, a constant enchancment in Haslam’s stage subsequent 12 months is more likely to thrust him into full title rivalry in opposition to the likes of Bradley Ray and Kyle Ryde who completed second and first, respectively, this 12 months.
If something can be chargeable for such an enchancment, Haslam expects it to be the consistency between his 2025 and 2026 seasons, wherein he’ll journey the identical model of bike for a similar workforce.
“I believe the most important factor is the second 12 months with the bike and the workforce,” Haslam advised TNT Sports activities after Race 3 on the Manufacturers Hatch finale.
“Sure, we’ve acquired a brand new bike coming from Ducati, a number of new upgrades which are wanting thrilling, nevertheless it’s extra so the continuity with the workforce.
“Me, what I’ve understood this 12 months, working with the boys, what I would like from the bike – it will likely be pivotal for subsequent 12 months. So, wanting ahead to it.”
As he talked about, though he’ll nonetheless journey a Ducati in 2026, it is not going to be the identical bike as this 12 months, with Ducati bringing a mannequin replace to the Panigale V4 R for subsequent 12 months.
The brand new bike will function quite a few modifications in comparison with the 2025 version, however Haslam has picked out the brand new double-sided swingarm as one thing that might supply a selected profit to him in BSB.
“Clearly, Ducati are at all times pushing the bar,” he mentioned.
“We’ve acquired the double-sided swingarm that I believe is the most important [change]; much more edge grip, and that’s the one space that the Yamahas appear to have been beating us this 12 months, somewhat little bit of turning and somewhat little bit of edge grip.
“So, Ducati are doing their regular factor and pushing the bar, and I’m glad to be on it subsequent 12 months.”
