2026

Anthony West and Olly Simpson join DesmoSport Ducati in 2026

By MA Media 0

Five weeks out from round one of the 2026 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) at Phillip Island from February 20-22, DesmoSport Ducati has turned the rider market on its head with news that Anthony West and Olly Simpson will join the Gold Coast-based team.

West, the reigning SW-Motech Superbike No. 3, is switching to Ducati after a three-year stint with Addicted to Track Yamaha where he will ride under the ER Motorsport DesmoSport banner on a Panigale V4 R. ER Motorsport, owned by Deon Coote, is an ASBK-winning operation, last tasting championship success with Troy Herfoss in 2023.

Long-time Supersport campaigner Simpson will ride a Panigale V2 in the Supersport Next Gen class, while New Zealander Luca Durning will continue his tenure at DesmoSport Ducati in the Superbike class alongside West. Simpson finished third in the 2025 Supersport title on a Kawasaki.

Meanwhile, Broc Pearson is the major casualty of the revamped DesmoSport Ducati roster and won’t continue with the team in 2026.

Anthony West’s taking on a whole new challenge in 2026

West’s 65-race ASBK career has been spent on Honda and Yamaha machinery, with the 44-year-old excited to be making the switch to the Panigale V4 R – which has won the last two Superbike titles with Josh Waters.

“When Deon (Coote) reached out, I was definitely interested,” said West. “I spent a lot of my season on track near the DesmoSport bikes last year and after a pretty open and honest conversation with Ben (Henry, the DesmoSport boss), I had no hesitation in joining the team.

“I’m only just now getting on the bike though, and while we work through the electronics and adapting the bike to me and me to the bike, I can already see the positives and I know I can be competitive with the package around me. I’m looking forward to working with Ben, Charlie, Ed, Robin and the rest of the ER Motorsport DesmoSport crew, and also having both Olly and Luca in the box this season with me.”

DesmoSport owner Ben Henry is delighted to have Westy joining the team.

“If you asked me even just two weeks ago who would be on the lead bike for us, I wouldn’t have had an answer. But Deon (Coote) was really motivated to come back to the track with us this season and, without him, this deal may not have come together.

“It’s hard to argue with Westy’s experience, but it’s his determination and adaptation skills that really has me excited to work with him this year. He’s ridden almost every race bike there is, and he’s adapted his style every time. He’s fast, consistent and had some great results last season, and I’m certain we can support him for even better results.”

West, Simpson and Aussie Moto2 star Senna Agius – who dominated on the Panigale V4 R at the St George Summer Series meeting in December 2025 – are currently testing at Phillip Island as preparations ramp up for the ASBK opener. The team will then travel to Sydney Motorsport Park for the next St George round this weekend (January 10).