Tommy Bridewell (Ducati) is convinced: “The new rules suit me”

When Advocates Racing decided at short notice to enter the 2026 Superbike World Championship, rather than competing in the British Superbike Championship as planned, there was a great deal of scepticism. After all, the Ducati team founded by Lecha Khouri had only been set up from scratch a few months earlier, and at 38, Tommy Bridewell was the second-oldest rider; moreover, the Englishman had never before completed a full season in the World Championship.

Due to the last-minute move into the World Championship, Advocates missed the season opener at Phillip Island and were not optimally prepared for every round. However, the Ducati rider finished fifth at Aragon and Donington (Race 1 at both) and made the top 10 in twelve of the 33 races. The flip side of the coin was a total of eight retirements and a 14th-place finish in the World Championship.

“Our season was brilliant. I’d like to thank my team for their dedication,” said Bridewell in an interview with motorsport journalist Greg Haines at EICMA. “Everyone in the team, including the owner Lee, is exceptional in every respect, and they put their trust in me. It felt good to prove all the sceptics wrong who didn’t think we were up to it.”

Armed with the experience gained from his debut season, the seasoned rider is looking forward to 2027 with confidence. Bridewell sees the revised balance of performance – a rev limit designed to effectively curb overly dominant manufacturers, presumably Ducati – as an opportunity.

“A lot will change for 2027, but I’m looking forward to it – the Michelin tyres and also the new Brembo brakes. On top of that, the rules will change to make the races a bit more competitive,” said the Ducati rider, listing the changes. “And to be honest, that will suit me, because I’m used to fighting with my elbows out. So it’ll be even more exciting, although I’ve absolutely loved being part of it this year too. Until then, I’ll be shearing my sheep, carrying on with my training and looking forward to the first test. We’ll also be taking a holiday in the US before Christmas.”