Go Eleven Ducati has kicked off the 2026 World Superbike (WorldSBK) season by unveiling Lorenzo Baldassarri’s fresh new livery. Baldassarri, who raced with GMT94 in 2023, returns to WorldSBK this year with the Go Eleven team. While he has four World Supersport (World SSP) victories under his belt, his best WorldSBK finish to date is 12th place, achieved at the Spanish round in 2023.
This season, Baldassarri replaces Andrea Iannone, who is reportedly set to miss the opening round in Australia with Kynum Racing. Go Eleven will continue to sport their distinctive yellow and white colors from 2025 but will no longer feature Pata as a title sponsor.
Lorenzo Baldassarri shared his thoughts on joining Go Eleven: “The bike looks fantastic and I’m eager to test it in dry conditions at Phillip Island. Beyond its striking appearance, I believe it’s currently the best bike package available.” He added, “The previous Panigale was already excellent, but the latest model seems even more powerful. Ducati constantly strives for improvements. I feel physically and mentally at my peak, and with a well-coordinated team, we aim to deliver strong performances.”
Despite the limited dry testing due to rain, Baldassarri remains optimistic: “Since the test was mostly wet, we don’t have a clear baseline yet, but there’s still time before the season opener in Australia. Our primary goal is steady growth during the season and to challenge for the top positions after adapting. I’m ready and excited to start racing!”
Team principal Gianni LaMelo commented, “As we approach our 20th year in WorldSBK, the season start is near! Our new double-sided Ducati Panigale looks incredible. The yellow stands out uniquely on the grid, which I personally love.”
He continued, “With solid backing from our partners, we’re confident the bike will be competitive and deliver key results. We’re pleased to welcome Lorenzo Baldassarri this year. We believe in his talent and speed and will do everything possible to support his peak performance. Though adapting to the bike will take time and winter testing was limited, we expect to see positive outcomes soon.”
Fan Take:
This announcement is exciting for racing enthusiasts as Baldassarri’s return with Go Eleven on an upgraded Ducati could shake up the WorldSBK order. If he and the team can capitalize on the promising new bike and build early momentum, it might spark some thrilling battles and fresh rivalries throughout the season.
