Montella finishes third in WorldSBK with Barni Spark Racing

Yari Montella finished third in the 2026 World Superbike Championship and was the top independent rider, scoring 318 points and 14 podiums in his second season in the premier class for the Barni Spark Racing team. He said the result was beyond his expectations and that he was proud of the work done with the team.

Montella described himself as a more mature rider who had used the difficulties of his 2025 rookie season to improve over the winter. He said the goal for next year is at least to repeat this year's performance, with a first win as a possible target.

He said early-season races and winter testing will be important for adapting to new regulations covering tyres, fuel and engine revs, and that he wants to limit mistakes.