Once in a lifetime": Alberto Surra fired up for the step up to Superbike in 2026

Monday, 01 December 2025 at 12:19

Alberto Surra comments on the deal with Motocorsa Racing for the Superbike World Championship and takes stock of 2025. The interview.

From Moto2 to first outings in Supersport... To Superbike. Alberto Surra will in fact be a protagonist in the premier class of WorldSBK, riding the Ducati Panigale V4 of the Motocorsa Racing team. A very interesting new pairing that has to wait until 2026 for its debut (he was not among the riders on track at the latest tests at Jerez), but the 21-year-old from Turin is certainly one to watch. With third place in the Moto2 European Championship of the JuniorGP wrapped up, in a season that also saw him wildcard in the category’s World Championship and debut in the World Supersport, his mind is clearly already on the brand-new challenge.

Alberto Surra, landing in Superbike!

I got this great opportunity from the Motocorsa team with Ducati and I’m really happy. We started talking at the end of the season, it was a bit of a last-minute offer and I already had other plans, but I jumped at it. I made myself known in the Superbike paddock this year in Supersport, and I have to thank the Evan Bros team 99.9%, first and foremost Fabio Evangelista and Mauro Pellegrini, but also the whole squad, who made it possible. I managed to bring home some good results and I got noticed by Motocorsa as well.

The initial idea was Supersport; how did you end up choosing differently?

Yes, that was the initial plan, but in the end I did some thinking and, in my and our view, this is a very nice and ambitious project, especially for my growth. Having the top bike in Superbike these years means I simply need to grow as a rider, in terms of riding. It will be tough at first, because everything will be really new, but if we work and improve race by race, we can reach a good level.

A great challenge... But what if it’s a “too big” step? How do you see it?

I had opportunities to go there, but in the end I thought I’d go straight to the premier class, primarily because I’m young, I’m 21, and these chances come once, so I took it right away. And there’s always time to go back to Supersport if it goes badly, although I’m sure it won’t. But we riders are always ready for new challenges, and I find this one even more motivating.

When will you do the first tests?

In January we’ll do two two-day tests in Spain and Portugal, then there will be two test days in Australia in February, and we’re off.

Alberto Surra interview and comments on Motocorsa Racing Superbike deal

Last Moto2 JuniorGP season wrapped up with 3rd place. Tell us about it.

We had some issues throughout the year in terms of straight-line speed. In the end we didn’t manage to win the championship, even though we were close in certain races, but the team still did a great job. Together we took two wins with a margin, my only ones in the category. For Andifer American Racing it was their first year in the Moto2 European Championship and they did a beautiful job: they listened to me a lot, everyone gave me a big hand and helped me grow.

2025 was definitely your best year in Moto2, right?

Yes, and I think I improved in every respect, even mentally. It had been a while since I’d had these mechanical problems, and I managed to handle them in the best way. Despite the frustration at times, I always managed to keep calm, I consistently brought home points and important results. On track I really rode well: by getting my head straight, I was able to sort out my riding too, I was much more clear-headed.

And what about the Supersport outings?

They went very, very well. The bike was new and we had some difficulties especially in the second half of the races, but the team for me is one of the best I’ve worked with. They made the difference.

How do you prepare for Superbike?

Right now I’m changing athletic trainer: I thank the one I’ve had for many years, now I’ll have someone who will follow me throughout the year and I can’t wait to start.