WorldSBK Phillip Island - Steve English: Expectations vs Reality

WorldSBK Phillip Island - Steve English: Expectations vs Reality

What makes for a successful weekend in WorldSBK? We're breaking it down for each rider and we'll reassess it after the weekend to see how Expectation plays out against Reality...

Yari Montella What can you expect from Montella this weekend? You can expect that this will be his best weekend of the season. The Barni Ducati rider was good here last year and won Supersport races with two different manufacturers. The expectation should be top seven finishes, but given that Montella was last season's top crasher a successful weekend would be finishing all three races

Iker Lecuona The pressure of being a factory Ducati rider will add to the tension for Lecuona but he's been fast, consistent and relaxed this week. He needs to ensure this season that he irons out the mistakes and becomes a regular podium finisher. This weekend is about learning and understanding the Panigale V4R and building into the season. That being said he needs to ensure that he is always inside the Top 6 and while he can afford to be beaten by his teammate, Lowes, and Bautista, he needs to challenge Montella and be ahead of other Ducati riders. He has kept his powder dry so far this weekend so should be competitive

Steve English Sat, 21/Feb/2026 - 00:00

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