Bathams AJN Racing returns to British Superbikes in 2026 with Storm Stacey and Ducati

Following a hugely successful debut season in the British Superbike Championship in 2025, the Bathams AJN Race team have taken the decision to return in 2026 once again with Storm Stacey as its sole rider.

Furthermore, and with the full support of all its sponsors, the team has also made the decision to switch its machinery to Ducati in the search for more potential performance for Storm. 

The track record of the Ducati Panigale V4R speaks for itself, and the latest version for 2026 has seen Ducati take an already successful formula and upgrade it in a number of key areas. It’s those upgrades and subsequent increase in potential which is why the team has made the decision to dedicating the off-season to making the switch in manufacturers.

Bathams Racing was formed in 2018, and from day 1 has used BMW machinery with success mainly in the Superstock class and road racing with the German marque. In 2025 the BMW M1000RR was the team’s first and only choice to use for its debut season in the British Superbike Championship. The season yielded ten top 5 finishes and a further eighteen top ten finishes to finish 9th in the team’s championship and 10th in the rider’s championship. It was a dream debut and finishing comfortably as the top BMW is an achievement the team will always be proud of.

While the team’s choice of machinery for the British Superbike Championship has changed, Bathams AJN Racing will continue to use BMW machinery at the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races, and a further announcement regarding the team’s road racing plans will follow soon.

At the age of just 22, Storm Stacey will be starting his seventh season of British Superbikes. Bathams AJN Racing believes he is one of the sports brightest prospects and talents, so are delighted to retain him for 2026 following his demonstrations of skill, pace and consistency during 2025.

Storm Stacey (Bathams AJN Racing #79)
“2025 was mega for me, and being able to race further towards the front of the field in the top 5 regularly was such a boost for me. The team was new to me, but I can’t fault their effort and the atmosphere, so staying with them for 2026 was a pretty easy decision, especially with the switch to Ducati happening too. 

At the time of this press-release, the bike is 98% built and ready to test, so you can imagine just how keen I am to throw a leg over it and see what the fuss is all about…..which will be very soon. Until then, I really want to say a massive thanks to all the teams sponsors for backing this massive new project, and a shout out to my fans who have been wanting to know what I’m up to. Thanks for your patience, but I really do believe this news was worth the wait! See you at the Donington test”.

Michael Rutter, Team Owner
”Well, if 2025 was a big jump for the team, 2026 is already making that look like a piece of cake. Switching manufacturers and building our bike from a road bike has been a mammoth task, but I truly believe it will be worth it. Along with Storm and everyone else in the team including the sponsors, we felt that in order to move forward from where we got to in 2025, we needed to change the bike. 

Obviously, we considered all options, but the fact that the Ducati is the only superbike to have been upgraded and developed in recent times is what swayed us onto it. Also, there is a long history between me, my dad and Ducati which is a really nice bonus.

Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the one thing I learned last year was that it’s impossible to know what to expect. I would never have predicted the results we managed last year, not even close, so I’m not about to make any predictions for the Storm/Ducati combination. 

All I can say is that on paper at least, we should be able to make a step forward from where we were last year, plus as a team we learned a massive amount which will also count for something next year. 

Like a lot of people, I’m extremely keen to get Storm onto the bike as soon as we can and start getting all our heads around it. One thing is for sure; it’s not going to be dull…”