Motoxracing stays on: Yamaha bolsters World Superbike Championship project for 2027

The Superbike World Championship can count on the Motoxracing team again in 2027. Sandro Carusi’s team is continuing its Yamaha project and is focusing on continuity: Mattia Rato and Twan Smits have extended their contracts. At the same time, the Italian privateer team is receiving more support from the manufacturer.

Yamaha is providing the team with more up-to-date equipment. This should enable them to score points more regularly following a difficult season. The rider line-up remains the same as the one with which the team contested the final three race weekends of 2026.

Will they take a step forward?

“For 2027, we have decided to build on the work we have developed with Mattia and Twan. Mattia made significant progress in his first World Superbike season and has forged a close bond with the team. We want to capitalise on this mutual understanding to take another step forward,” explained team principal Carusi.

Rato had moved up to the Superbike World Championship after finishing third overall in the 2025 Italian Supersport Championship. He had celebrated three wins and seven podium finishes there. In his first World Championship season, the rider from Monza managed to score points on two occasions: he finished 14th in the second race at Balaton Park and 15th in Race 2 at his home race in Cremona.

Mattia Rato

Foto: GeeBee Images

“I’m very happy to have extended my contract with Motoxracing and to be able to continue my journey both in the World Superbike Championship and with the team. That’s exactly what I’d hoped for, as I want to build on the work we’ve done this year and continue to develop as a rider,” emphasised Rato.

He gave a positive assessment of his first season, despite the modest points haul. “I struggled a bit more in some races, whilst in others I was able to put in good performances. Overall, I’m quite satisfied with what we’ve achieved. But I’m convinced that we can do even better next year,” explained the Italian.

“Our aim is to improve on this season’s results and close the gap on the riders ahead of us. I’m highly motivated to keep working hard, to improve and to take another step forward,” added Rato.

Smits: From Euro Moto to the World Championship

Smits only joined the team for the race weekend in Cremona, replacing Bahattin Sofuoglu. Prior to that, the Dutchman had spent most of his season competing in the Euro Moto series. With four wins and six podium finishes, he finished fourth overall.

Smits had already made his World Superbike debut at his home race in Assen as a wildcard rider for the Yamaha Apreco team. Following the three final rounds with Motoxracing in Cremona, Estoril and Jerez, he now has the opportunity to compete in a full season.

“I am incredibly happy and grateful to be able to continue on this path with Yamaha Motoxracing. A big thank you goes to everyone involved and especially to Yamaha, who have made this opportunity possible. I am looking forward to continuing to work together and, hopefully, making great progress in 2027,” said Smits.

Twan Smits

Foto: Smits/Facebook

It wasn’t just the Dutchman’s speed that impressed Carusi. “Twan only joined us for the last three race weekends. But his approach and his qualities have convinced us to put our trust in him for a full season,” explained the team boss.

Carusi sees the additional technical support as an important sign for his team’s future. “The updates provided by Yamaha are a vote of confidence in our project and give us extra motivation. Our task will be to make the best possible use of them and to provide both riders with the best conditions to showcase their abilities and improve our results,” he noted.

Yamaha also played a key role in signing Smits. “Special thanks go to Yamaha for their support and for strongly backing Twan’s move to our team and for supporting this project with us. I would also like to thank all the sponsors and partners who make this commitment possible and who continue to believe in our work,” explained Carusi.