Successor found for the runner-up: Kawasaki team signs Aprilia talent

ProDina was one of the most successful teams in the now-defunct Supersport 300 World Championship and also established itself at the top of the new Sportbike World Championship. With David Salvador, the Kawasaki team led the overall standings for a long time, but had to settle for the runners-up spot in the season finale. Antonio Torres, finishing fourth in the World Championship, at least ensured that ProDina clinched the team title.

Whilst Salvador is, as is well known, moving up to the Kawasaki works team for the 2027 Supersport World Championship, Torres remains on board and will have a new team-mate. To this end, ProDina team manager Riccardo Drisaldi turned his attention to the Italian series and signed Filippo Bianchi. The soon-to-be 22-year-old dominated the national sportbike series with eight wins and ten podium finishes from 13 races – but on an Aprilia RS660.

If the name Bianchi sounds familiar: the Italian, who hails from Pisa, made a guest appearance at the Misano meeting and finished second on the podium in the first race. In the second race, Bianchi followed that up with a fourth-place finish, making him the best-placed Aprilia rider.

“First of all, I’d like to thank the team for this opportunity,” said Bianchi, delighted at his promotion to the World Championship. “For me, it’s the fulfilment of a dream I’ve had since I was a child. I’ve always wanted to compete in a World Championship, and until now I hadn’t managed to make that dream a reality. 2027 will be my debut season, so I’ll need to get used to new circuits and familiarise myself with a new motorbike. I know it won’t be easy, but my aim is to improve as quickly as possible, be competitive and fight for the top places in the races.”

Bianchi will begin his pre-season preparations this coming weekend at the season finale of the Spanish Sportbike Series in Jerez.

“This is an important step for me, as I’m now starting to work closely with the team and will get to know the new bike, the ZX-6R 636, better with every session,” explained the Kawasaki rider. “The four free practice sessions are crucial for gathering information, understanding the bike’s handling and working with the technicians to find initial solutions. Of course, I want to be competitive, but at this stage it’s particularly important to work well together, keep improving and build a solid relationship with the team.”