2026 Motorcycle Updates: Isle of Man TT Riders Confirmed, Ducati Centenario Teaser & More Big Reveals
TT stars Evans and Jordan return, Ducati's 100th-anniversary Superleggera tease, rare Suzuki Katana edition, Morbidelli US launch, CFMoto grabs Kalex.
Raine Devries | 20 March 2026
Michael Evans Stays with Dafabet Racing for 2026 Isle of Man TT
Manx rider Michael Evans is locked in for another year with Dafabet Racing at the Isle of Man TT. After a breakout 2025 where he joined the 130mph Club with a personal best lap of 130.094mph, notched top-10 finishes including ninth in the opening Superbike race, and delivered strong results across classes, Evans is set to build on that momentum. He’ll stick with the proven Honda Fireblade for Superstock, Superbike, and Senior TT races, while adding a brand-new Triumph Street Triple 765 RS (engines prepped by PHR Performance) for Supersport.
Evans shared his excitement: “After a strong first season together, I’m delighted to be continuing with Dafabet Racing and preparation is firmly underway with pre-season testing already taking place in Spain.” Team co-owner Ben Constable added that retaining Evans was priority one, praising his consistency and potential for more top-10 finishes.
Paul Jordan Re-Signs with Jackson Racing for Third Straight TT
Paul Jordan is staying put with Jackson Racing for his third consecutive year at the TT in 2026. Fresh off a standout 2025 that included a Supertwin TT podium, fourth in the second Supertwin race, a personal-best lap of 121.899mph (third-fastest in class history), and top results like fourth in Supersport (126.358mph lap) and tenth in Superbike, Jordan is aiming higher.
He’ll run the Aprilia RS660 in the new Sportbike class, Honda Fireblade in 1000cc events, and switch to the Ducati V2 Panigale in Supersport for what he believes will be a solid upgrade. “Continuing with them for a third successive year was a no-brainer,” Jordan said. “The aim is to build on a strong 2025 season.” Team owner Alan Jackson highlighted the continuity and added the Ducati (same spec as Michael Dunlop’s) to give Paul the best tools possible.
Norwich Bikers Rally to Save Iconic City Centre Parking Spot
I’ll admit that I am a major proponent of Designated Motorcycle Parking and whenever good people are working to establish area like these in municipal lots or in parking garages of new buildings, I like to highlight them. My theory is the more we can do to raise awareness that cagers are sharing the road with riders, the better.
In the UK, thousands of riders have signed a Change.org petition to protect a beloved 90-year-old motorcycle parking bay next to Norwich Market. Started by Anna Wright, the campaign highlights the spot’s role as a vital community hub that combats social isolation, supports mental health, and offers safe, central parking for able-bodied and disabled riders alike. With redevelopment talks sparking fears of relocation, the petition quickly hit around 2,500 signatures in a month. The council clarified no plans exist to move or close it based on recent consultations, but riders are pushing for long-term protection. As Wright put it, this historic site “deserves more than a temporary reprieve.”
Ducati Teases Superleggera V4 Centenario Edition for March 26 Reveal
Ducati just dropped a sleek teaser for the Superleggera V4 Centenario Edition, set to debut on March 26, 2026. Celebrating the brand’s 100th anniversary (”Centenario” nods to a century of Italian engineering), this limited-edition take on the hyper-exclusive Panigale V4-based superbike promises extreme performance and lightweight wizardry. The clip shows laser engraving on a black anodized top clamp spelling out “SUPERLEGGERA V4 CENTENARIO”—classic Ducati drama. Past Superleggeras have been capped at just 500 units, so expect this anniversary special to be ultra-rare and rider-coveted.
Suzuki Drops Limited-Edition Katana for Germany
Suzuki Germany is slicing things up with a super-limited Katana edition—only 45 units available. Priced at €15,040 (a modest €645 premium over the standard), it adds special decals, carbon-look tank pad, black rear panels with silver graphics, frame sliders, an Akrapovič silencer, plus extras like a Katana-logo garage carpet and a hardcover book on the model’s history. It’s a cool nod to the iconic Katana legacy, perfect for collectors who want standout style without massive changes.
Morbidelli Adventure Bikes Headed to the US
Italian revival brand Morbidelli (now under QJMotor ownership) is bringing its adventure lineup stateside. The T1002V and T1002VX pack a 997cc liquid-cooled V-twin (88.5 hp, 65.6 lb.-ft. torque), adjustable KYB suspension, cornering ABS, traction control, heated grips/seat, and a 7-inch TFT dash. The VX leans off-road with wire wheels and tubed tires. EPA certification for 2026 models is locked in, matching Euro specs—expect these capable, tech-loaded ADV machines to hit US dealers soon.
CFMoto Acquires Moto2 Powerhouse Kalex
CFMoto has snapped up a 51% stake in Kalex Engineering, the dominant Moto2 chassis maker with 12 straight Constructors’ titles (2013-2023) and most of the current grid on its frames. This move boosts CFMoto’s racing cred, fuels R&D for road bikes, and accelerates its MotoGP push. Kalex’s expertise in lightweight, high-performance chassis could translate to big gains across the board.
VR46 and the Aprilia Question for 2027
As Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team nears the end of its Ducati deal in 2027, Aprilia has reportedly reached out to supply bikes for the new 850cc era. With Aprilia’s strong 2025 form (including breaking Ducati’s long podium streak), some wonder if sticking with Ducati might lead to regret—but Ducati’s proven dominance makes the safe bet tempting.
That’s the latest from the two-wheel world—plenty of action on the horizon.
~Keep the shiny side up!