Three Riders, Four Entries At DesmoSport Ducati Season Finale

The 2026 Australian Superbike Championship draws to a close this weekend at Queensland Raceway with Anthony West declared fit to return aboard the DesmoSport Elite Roads Superbike alongside Luca Durning. The team has made the decision to allow Olly Simpson to continue his adaptation to the Superbike class, jumping aboard the spare Panigale V4 R as well as his Panigale V2 Next Gen Supersport machine. Both West and Simpson are highly motivated to finish the season on a high at the track affectionately to fans as 'The Paperclip.' At just over three kilometres in length and with only six turns, the recently refurbished circuit has become known for hard racing and fierce braking duels. As the ASBK championship transitions to a summer series (starting this October), the 2026 finale also represents a prime opportunity for race fans to soak up the Queensland sunshine in style in the Desmosport Ducati VIP suite. The behind the scenes experience features garage tours, rider interviews and buffet dining with tickets available at Rider Support Australia. 

DesmoSport Ducati Team Owner, Ben Henry: "I'm so glad to have Westy back this weekend. He's been trying to get back on the race bike since about five minutes after his crash in Adelaide, so I'm really happy that he's healed up and ready to go. You've never met a more motivated racer! This weekend we will have Olly back on the Superbike as well as Luca, so it will be a very busy garage for us. Olly has shown really positive progression on the Superbike, it's encouraging that the Paniagle V2 is proving to be a solid platform to make that step forward into the top class. The focus will soon turn to the 2026/27 season and we hope to field more exciting young talent in Next Gen Supersport. We'll have an extensive testing schedule in the off-season so watch this space - but for now, it's time to turn it on at our home track and send Westy, Olly and Luca out on a high.”

DesmoSport Ducati Rider, Anthony West: "This last eight weeks has been torture not being able to race, but it was important to make sure my hand had the best opportunity to heal. I'm very keen to finish this season with a win, I've cut literally thousands of laps at Queensland Raceway and I feel like we were really heading in the right direction with the bike at The Bend. QR is my home round, I want to put on a show for the fans and thank everyone for all their support in the best possible way.”

DesmoSport Ducati Rider, Olly Simpson: “I'm kind of getting used to the packed schedule riding both classes now, my fitness has had to go to the next level! I'm really keen to put the Desmosport Panigale V2 on the top step in Next Gen Supersport again, we've been quick at every track and no doubt it's made the step up to Superbike much easier.”

DesmoSport Ducati Rider, Luca Durning: " It's been a massive few months competing in both the New Zealand Superbike Championship and now completing the Australian Superbike Championship. Each round I've picked up valuable experience and set a heap of person best

times. Thank you to everyone that has supported me so far, it's been an encouraging season and I'm really looking forward to going out on a high at Queensland Raceway.”

On-Track Schedule (AEST)

Superbike

Friday

Free Practice 1 10:35am (30 mins) 

Free Practice 2 1:30pm (30 mins) 

Free Practice 3 3:15pm (30 mins) 

Saturday 

Free Practice 4 10:15am (30 mins) 

Qualifying 1:25pm (20 mins) 

Qualifying 2 1:55pm (15 mins) 

Sunday 

Warm up 9:15am (10 mins) 

Race 1 11:25am (16 Laps) 

Race 2 3:20pm (16 Laps)

Next Gen Supersport

Friday

Free Practice 1 10:05am (25 mins) 

Free Practice 2 12:10pm (25 mins) 

Free Practice 3 2:25pm (25 mins) 

Saturday

Qualifying 9:20am (25 mins) 

Qualifying 2 11:50am (25 mins) 

Sunday

Warm up 9:05am (5 mins) 

Race 1 10:25am (14 Laps) 

Race 2 2:45pm (14 Laps)

Watch all the action on Saturday: 

SBS Sport & Stan Sport from 9:30am 

ASBK Live Stream from 1:00pm

Watch the Live Timing: www.computime.com.au 

Image Credit: RBMotoLens

2026 Australian Superbike Championship

• Round 1: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC Feb 20-22
• Round 2: Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW Mar 27-28
• Round 3: The Bend Raceway, SA May 1-3
• Round 4: Morgan Park Raceway, QLD May 29-31
• Round 5: Queensland Raceway, QLD Jun 26-28