WorldSBK 2026
January Jerez Check – Day Two
January 22, 2026
The 2026 WorldSBK pre-season started this week with a two-day personal take a look at at Circuito de Jerez–Ángel Nieto, although persistent rain and a observe that stayed patchy even because it started to dry meant most groups handled the outing as a baseline and programs examine relatively than a significant type information.
Day one provided little scope for sustained slick-tyre work, with working repeatedly interrupted by heavy showers and low temperatures. Day two improved round mid-afternoon, briefly permitting slicks, however the window was brief, and the circuit by no means absolutely stabilised earlier than rain returned later within the session.
Even so, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing Ducati) completed high of the mixed occasions with a 1m39.331s, set on Thursday after he largely sat out the worst of Wednesday. Bulega additionally fell at Flip 5, as did many others, underlining how marginal situations had been at the perfect of occasions.
Nicolò Bulega
“Clearly, the rain ruined our plans. It will have been essential to remain on observe for a very long time, however as an alternative, we solely managed to do 20 laps, which had been nonetheless helpful for regaining confidence with the bike after the winter. The sensations had been good, however now we hope to have the ability to do two extra full days of testing at Portimão.”
New teammate Iker Lecuona ended sixth general on 1m39.979s as Aruba continued to construct its early set-up route, whereas Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Staff) was fourth on 1m39.811s as soon as he was in a position to get significant observe time.
Iker Lecuona
“Regardless of the few laps we had obtainable, we nonetheless managed to do a great job, particularly on the setup. We’re making progress day-to-day, and that makes me very joyful. I need to admit that the sensation with the Panigale V4R is extraordinary, regardless that I do know we nonetheless have many particulars to kind out as a way to be as aggressive as we need to be from the beginning of the season”.
The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Staff once more confirmed encouraging pace in its restricted dry working. Alex Lowes was second with a 1m39.450s, and teammate Axel Bassani completed seventh on 1m40.069s. Check rider Xavi Fores added laps to the KB998 Rimini programme because the venture continues to build up information forward of Portimao and Phillip Island.
Alex Lowes
“I used to be joyful to get slick tyres on the KB998 Rimini and get out on observe. To be trustworthy, I beloved it. It has been a comparatively brief winter, however I used to be actually joyful to get out on observe. It wasn’t a day to study an excessive amount of as there have been fairly a number of damp patches on the observe. We did handle to back-to-back some entrance fork issues from Showa, and I had began on an extended run till it began to rain fairly closely, and that ended our checks. After 16 laps, it was troublesome to have any clear conclusion, however electronics in WorldSBK is a continuing evolution now, and a number of the issues that the blokes have been engaged on felt constructive. So, from a technical aspect, we didn’t study an excessive amount of, however the issues we tried had been constructive. From a private aspect, I used to be simply actually joyful to get again on the bike and get the yr began.”
Axel Bassani
“On day one, I used to be driving in moist situations. This was nonetheless good as a result of we had some new objects to strive on the bike to have a greater feeling in moist situations. On day two, we had been in a position to do some laps in dry situations and began to have a pleasant feeling once more. It was good to do some good laps. I hope we can have higher climate in Portimao subsequent week as a result of we want some extra laps in dry situations, and we are going to strive once more to do our greatest there.”
Pere Riba – Crew Chief for Alex Lowes
“We’ve completed the take a look at right here at Jerez. We’ve been right here for 3 days as a result of we made some laps below dry situations within the first day with Xavi Fores, our take a look at rider. We did this with him once more on Wednesday in moist situations. We acquired to strive some issues about electronics and new objects that we needed to check to gather the primary information. Alex made some laps within the afternoon of the ultimate day within the dry, and right away he was into a very sturdy pace and a great feeling with the package deal. Within the November checks, Alex was already joyful, however there may be not a lot to say as a result of the climate has not been very useful. However anyway, we transfer to Portimao, and the bottom bike we now have is ‘speaking’ fairly properly with Alex. Then, we simply want extra time to grasp the factors to enhance.”
Uri Pallares – Crew Chief for Axel Bassani
“We did a half day with Axel in moist climate situations on day one, however sadly, from round 12.30, the wind situations elevated loads. This made the job tougher, however we took some data to permit us to enhance the moist set-up with Axel. On the second day, we had some dry time, and we had been working to search out the perfect steadiness. We’ve some good data, however unluckily we didn’t have very a lot time in dry situations. We determined to maintain testing one thing, even after the rain got here again, however there was not sufficient rain to offer us any conclusion on moist tyres, so we determined to cease. Now, we transfer on to Portimao.”
Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was the main Yamaha in third with a 1m39.770s, whereas Andrea Locatelli (1m40.345s) and Stefano Manzi (1m40.347s) had been separated by simply two-thousandths in eighth and ninth, respectively. Remy Gardner returned to motion on day two after lacking day one and completed nineteenth with a 1m41.249s, banking what dry laps had been obtainable earlier than testing shifts to Portimao subsequent week.
Xavi Vierge
“I’m very joyful, now it’s the fifth day that I’ve jumped on the R1 and I begin to actually really feel prefer it’s my bike. The Yamaha turns very properly, which inserts my driving type, and we match on our sturdy factors, I feel. I’m tremendous pleased with the workforce and the way in which they’ve been working because the starting. I’m working with individuals who it looks like we now have been working collectively for a very long time, and it’s simply the primary checks! Yesterday, we made our first laps in moist situations, which is essential earlier than the season begins. After all, we want extra time and higher observe situations, as a result of yesterday the rain was large, actually windy and too chilly, however no less than we may make a begin – and at the moment, we had 30 laps within the dry. This was additionally crucial for us to reconfirm the sensation we had final yr and a few developments which have but to be determined. I recovered the sensation, and the tempo has been good because the starting, so I’m additionally pleased with that. Proper now, I nonetheless want to find the boundaries of the bike as a result of we’ve simply ridden in Jerez, and I can say that we’re fairly quick right here, however it will likely be essential to maneuver on to a unique observe to see what our actuality is there. Now, we transfer on to Portimão, and I hope the climate shall be a bit higher!”
Andrea Locatelli
“Unusual winter take a look at situations in Jerez, roughly like at all times presently of yr! We rode a little bit bit yesterday within the moist; the sensation was not 100%, nevertheless it was sufficient to experience and take a rhythm on the bike after the break from the final November take a look at. Right now, we had higher climate and observe situations to try to take a greater feeling. In the course of the enhancements, I crashed at Flip 5, after which it began raining once more, so we missed a little bit of observe time to proceed on our work. We are going to sit up for and watch for Portimão subsequent week, the place we now have some additional days. I’m fairly assured, I do know the R1 very properly now, so the plan is to maintain going – push onerous – after which we are going to see what we are able to do on the final winter take a look at.”
Stefano Manzi
“Lastly we’re again in motion, and I couldn’t wait to get again on observe to enhance my feeling with the Yamaha R1. On Day 1 we had been in a position to experience in moist situations, which might be helpful in the course of the season as we could face related conditions. On the second day we lastly had dry situations and managed to finish some good laps. Sadly, the rain within the afternoon disrupted our work plan and we missed some worthwhile observe time, however we now have one other two-day take a look at subsequent week in Portugal to proceed working and bettering.”
Remy Gardner
“It was nice to be again on the Yamaha R1 and to see everybody once more. Sadly, the climate restricted our observe time, so we needed to handle our take a look at days fastidiously. On the second day we lastly rode in dry situations, which helped me regain my feeling on the bike. The rain returned within the afternoon and compelled us to cease early, however general it was a great way to restart, and we’ll preserve working subsequent week in Portugal.”
BMW’s programme appeared centred on integration and fundamentals with its new line-up. Check rider Michael van der Mark did the majority of the mileage and completed fifth with a 1m39.836s after 45 laps, a few of them reportedly on Miguel Oliveira’s machine. Among the many race riders, Oliveira ended twelfth (1m40.447s) and Danilo Petrucci seventeenth (1m40.823s) on the mixed record after topping the occasions on the moist opening day.
Christian Gonschor – Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport
“The take a look at in Jerez de la Frontera was considerably completely different from what we had deliberate because of the wet situations, nevertheless it was very productive because of this. Each Miguel and Danilo tailored to the bike in a short time and confirmed wonderful efficiency on the BMW M 1000 RR in moist situations. They felt comfy – that was a very powerful factor. Each throughout the workforce and on the bike. That they had confidence within the bike, together with the electronics. This allowed us to enhance step-by-step over the course of the primary day to maneuver each riders as much as the highest positions within the timesheets. Because of the quickly bettering situations, we had been ready so as to add three productive dry hours at the moment after a profitable moist session yesterday. This places us in an optimum place for the upcoming Portimão take a look at. Totally different tyres had been used throughout the sector, which considerably distorted the outcomes. Our riders are progressively constructing extra confidence and understanding of their equipment on race tyres, the brand new parts are working flawlessly, and the brand new workforce members have already grow to be an integral a part of our racing household. We’re all eagerly wanting ahead to the beginning of the season collectively and thank the take a look at workforce and Mickey for his or her nice work.”
Danilo Petrucci
“It was two lengthy days even when we didn’t have the prospect to experience loads. I actually loved to be on the bike, particularly in moist situations. It’s actually among the best bikes I’ve ever ridden within the rain. For certain, it’s an extended course of as a result of this bike is actually completely different from what I used to be used. However the potential is actually, actually excessive. However it’s a must to know the bike. On day one, I used to be actually joyful, on the second day the observe was not in good situations. We noticed many crashes from the moist patches. However is was nonetheless helpful as a result of the situations had been very completely different in comparison with the November take a look at so we understood that me and the bike want one thing completely different. Hopefully subsequent week in Portimão we can have higher situations and we are going to collect some extra expertise.”
Miguel Oliveira
“It has been the primary take a look at of the yr after the winter break and there have been a lot expectations for these two days clearly, attending to know the bike and the workforce higher. I feel we achieved that, we ticked one other field which was to resolve some points and as properly to get to know one another higher and that’s the way in which to go. We want extra time, we all know that, however on the similar time, there may be quite a lot of expectation. However proper now we simply must be affected person and obtain the perfect end result potential for myself in that brief time frame.”
Honda’s week was additionally formed by restricted dry working, however Thursday nonetheless allowed progress. Jake Dixon completed thirteenth with a 1m40.450s, persevering with his adaptation to WorldSBK equipment after latest years in Moto2 and noting a give attention to geometry and electronics.
Six-time champion Jonathan Rea made his first look in a Honda take a look at position and, by way of the HRC take a look at entry, recorded 1m40.442s to sit down tenth general, with Tetsuta Nagashima additionally contributing mileage. Somkiat Chantra missed the take a look at because of a coaching harm.
Jake Dixon
“We’ve simply accomplished the two-day take a look at right here and situations had been removed from ultimate. The primary day was virtually a whole washout, with very restricted observe time, though it was nonetheless helpful for me to make some laps within the moist and begin constructing confidence with the bike. Even from one run to the subsequent I felt extra comfy, which was constructive. Right now we solely had a few hours in combined situations earlier than the rain returned, which was irritating, particularly as a rookie in Superbike the place observe time is extraordinarily essential. We clearly want extra laps, however regardless of the situations I already really feel extra comfy than I did in November, and the work performed on the geometry and setup has been a great step ahead. There are nonetheless a number of areas to enhance, together with my driving place, electronics, and general feeling with the bike, however that’s all a part of the method. Having Jonathan (Rea) and Tetsuta (Nagashima) alongside us is a big asset; their expertise and suggestions convey quite a lot of motivation and power to the entire workforce. Waiting for the subsequent take a look at, the purpose is solely to maintain engaged on all the pieces, step-by-step, and hopefully make higher use of the obtainable days if the climate permits.”
For Kawasaki, Garrett Gerloff ended eleventh with a 1m40.445s because the workforce evaluated 2026 ZX-10RR updates, together with aerodynamic modifications, although situations prevented significant back-to-back comparisons.
Garrett Gerloff
“I’ve been ready for 2 months to get out right here and experience the bike, however the climate has been horrible at occasions. It’s irritating for the workforce and myself. In the long run, we acquired 20 laps within the dry-ish situations. It was like half moist and half dry on the market. It was a little bit sketchy, and quite a lot of guys crashed on the water at T5, so fortunately we stayed up on two wheels. I acquired to really feel a little bit of a distinction within the aero package deal from final yr, however ultimately, it wasn’t sufficient laps to actually get a full feeling for all the pieces, so we nonetheless want extra time. I felt I used to be in a position to flip higher within the quicker corners, and that I had the entrance a bit extra planted on the bottom. I didn’t get a complete lot of time to do back-to-back with something.”
At Barni Ducati, the primary public reference for the Bautista/Montella pairing was extra about establishing working routines than chasing lap time. Yari Montella completed 14th (1m40.456s) with Alvaro Bautista fifteenth (1m40.475s), separated by 0.019s.
Álvaro Bautista
“The situations weren’t ultimate to begin this new problem with the workforce, however we nonetheless managed to do some laps each within the moist and on the dry. The sentiments are very constructive: we’re starting to grasp one another with the workforce, to understand the work that must be performed, and to get aware of the brand new bike. There may be positively nonetheless loads to do, and in these two days we couldn’t do a lot, however no less than the general feeling stays constructive.”
Yari Montella
“The primary day within the moist went fairly properly performance-wise, though the crash slowed us down a bit. Total, we’re nonetheless attending to know the bike. Right now we managed to finish no less than twenty laps on dry observe, which allowed us to raised perceive methods to work on the bike. We didn’t do many laps, nevertheless it’s higher than nothing. In the direction of the tip, after we may have made some progress, the rain got here again. Total, the sensation is nice, however there may be positively nonetheless quite a lot of work to do and far to find for each me and the workforce. This work shall be postponed to Portimão, hoping for higher climate situations.”
Marco Barnabò – Barni Staff Principal
“In the long run, the climate didn’t permit us to work as we needed, however what we managed to do was constructive with each riders, so I’m nonetheless happy with this primary outing. We all know there may be nonetheless quite a lot of work to do, however I’m assured that we now have a great basis and a constructive ambiance within the storage to work properly.”
Tarran Mackenzie ended sixteenth with a 1m40.760s as MGM Optical Categorical Racing unveiled its 2026 colors and continued bedding in with the Panigale V4R.
In World Supersport, Philipp Oettl topped the category with a 1m42.931s, forward of Jeremy Alcoba (1m43.500s) and Matteo Ferrari (1m43.672s), with SSP working equally formed by the restricted dry home windows.
Jeremy Alcoba
“We’ve waited for these two testing days for a very long time, however the climate was not good, so we couldn’t take a look at many issues. On Wednesday, within the rain, I felt tremendous good, nevertheless it was actually simply to check that all the pieces was OK. On the ultimate day, we needed to watch for a while for higher situations to reach on the observe, and when the observe was drier, we went out. We did 19 laps, not an excessive amount of, nevertheless it was good to have a take a look at on the Ninja ZX-6R 636 after a very long time. I’m joyful to have been again on the bike, however we couldn’t take quite a lot of data. Let’s see if the climate is healthier in Portimao and whether it is, we are able to strive different issues.”
Dominique Aegerter used the take a look at to refamiliarise himself with present Supersport equipment after stepping again to the class after latest years spent on a Superbike.
Dominique Aegerter
“This was our first take a look at in 2026, and the primary day was moist. We did some laps within the moist situations to examine that all the pieces was working, and for me, this was the primary time driving the Ninja ZX-6R 636 within the rain. It was all OK, however at the moment we had been hoping for higher climate. It was troublesome as a result of we may solely use about two hours of the day, and there have been nonetheless some damp patches, however the workforce made an important job. We had the issues I needed to vary after the earlier take a look at in November. We’re nonetheless a little bit bit distant, however we made laps to make sure of what we want for the subsequent take a look at in Portimao after which the primary race of the season in Australia. We’re nonetheless working, and I really feel nice on the bike, on the bodily aspect. Due to the workforce as a result of they’ve performed quite a lot of work within the brief winter. I hope we can have higher climate in Portimao for the subsequent take a look at.”
Testing heads to Portimao
Groups now transfer to Portimao (Jan 28–29) for the subsequent personal take a look at earlier than consideration turns to the standard Phillip Island official take a look at (Feb 16–17) and the season opener at Phillip Island (Feb 20–22).
WorldSBK Jerez Check Occasions
Day Two – Jan 22, 2026
 |
||||||
|
Pos |
Class | Rider | Bike | TIme/Hole |
Velocity |
|
|
1 |
SBK |
N. Bulega |
Duc |
1m39.331 |
268.7 |
|
|
2 |
SBK |
A. Lowes |
Bim |
1m39.450 |
+0.119 |
271.4 |
|
3 |
SBK |
X. Vierge |
Yam |
1m39.770 |
+0.439 |
266.7 |
|
4 |
SBK |
S. Lowes |
Duc |
1m39.811 |
+0.480 |
266.7 |
|
5 |
SBK |
M. Vd Mark |
Bmw |
1m39.836 |
+0.505 |
269.3 |
|
6 |
SBK |
I. Lecuona |
Duc |
1m39.979 |
+0.648 |
270.7 |
|
7 |
SBK |
A. Bassani |
Bim |
1m40.069 |
+0.738 |
270.7 |
|
8 |
SBK |
A. Locatelli |
Yam |
1m40.345 |
+1.014 |
264.1 |
|
9 |
SBK |
S. Manzi |
Yam |
1m40.347 |
+1.016 |
265.4 |
|
10 |
SBK |
J,. Rea |
Hon |
1m40.442 |
+1.111 |
262.8 |
|
11 |
SBK |
G. Gerloff |
Kaw |
1m40.445 |
+1.114 |
268.7 |
|
12 |
SBK |
M. Oliveira |
Bmw |
1m40.447 |
+1.116 |
269.3 |
|
13 |
SBK |
J. Dixon |
Hon |
1m40.450 |
+1.119 |
262.1 |
|
14 |
SBK |
Y. Montella |
Duc |
1m40.456 |
+1.125 |
264.7 |
|
15 |
SBK |
Á. Bautista |
Duc |
1m40.475 |
+1.144 |
271.4 |
|
16 |
SBK |
T. Mackenzie |
Duc |
1m40.760 |
+1.429 |
270.0 |
|
17 |
SBK |
D. Petrucci |
Bmw |
1m40.823 |
+1.492 |
268.0 |
|
18 |
SBK |
H. Soomer |
Bmw |
1m41.127 |
+1.796 |
258.4 |
|
19 |
SBK |
T. Smits |
Yam |
1m41.192 |
+1.861 |
259.6 |
|
20 |
SBK |
T. Nagashima |
Hon |
1m41.214 |
+1.883 |
262.8 |
|
21 |
SBK |
R. Gardner |
Yam |
1m41.249 |
+1.918 |
263.4 |
|
22 |
SBK |
X. Forés |
Bim |
1m41.476 |
+2.145 |
263.4 |
|
23 |
SBK |
L. Baldassarri |
Duc |
1m41.772 |
+2.441 |
265.4 |
|
24 |
SBK |
A. Surra |
Duc |
1m41.815 |
+2.484 |
264.7 |
|
25 |
MGP |
E. Bastianini |
KTM |
1m42.805 |
+3.474 |
262.8 |
|
26 |
SSP |
P. Öttl |
Duc |
1m42.931 |
+3.600 |
238.4 |
|
27 |
SSP |
J. Alcoba |
Kaw |
1m43.500 |
+4.169 |
235.3 |
|
28 |
SSP |
M. Ferrari |
Duc |
1m43.672 |
+4.341 |
233.8 |
|
29 |
SSP |
X. Cardelus |
Yam |
1m43.812 |
+4.481 |
233.3 |
|
30 |
EWC |
Foray-Checa-Schrotter |
Duc |
1m44.046 |
+4.715 |
260.2 |
|
31 |
SSP |
D. Aegerter |
Kaw |
1m44.501 |
+5.170 |
237.9 |
|
32 |
SSP |
B. Jiménez |
Duc |
1m45.578 |
+6.247 |
236.8 |
|
33 |
SSP |
D. Geiger |
Yam |
1m45.794 |
+6.463 |
217.7 |
|
34 |
SSP |
L. Lehmann |
Yam |
1m46.801 |
+7.470 |
224.1 |
|
35 |
SBK |
Aruba Check Rider |
Duc |
1m57.530 |
+18.199 |
255.9 |
2026 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship calendar
|
|||||
|
……Date……. |
Nation |
Circuit |
WorldSBK |
WorldSSP |
WorldSPB |
|
20-22 Feb |
AUS |
Phillip Island GP |
X |
X |
|
|
27-29 Mar |
POR |
Algarve Int’l |
X |
X |
X |
|
17-19 Apr |
NED |
TT Assen |
X |
X |
X |
|
1-3 Might |
HUN |
Balaton Park |
X |
X |
|
|
15-17 Might |
CZE |
Most |
X |
X |
X |
|
29-31 Might |
ESP |
MotorLand Aragon |
X |
X |
X |
|
12-14 Jun |
ITA |
Misano – Marco Simoncelli |
X |
X |
X |
|
10-12 Jul |
UK |
Donington Park |
X |
X |
|
|
4-6 Sep |
FRA |
Nevers Magny-Cours |
X |
X |
X |
|
25-27 Sep |
ITA |
Cremona |
X |
X |
X |
|
Sep 11 Oct |
POR |
Estoril |
X |
X |
|
|
16-18 Oct |
ESP |
Jerez – Angel Nieto* |
X |
X |
X |
2026 World Superbike Championship Entry Listing
|
||
|
Rider |
Bike |
Staff |
|
I.Lecuona |
Duc |
Aruba.It Ducati |
|
N.Bulega |
Duc |
Aruba.It Ducati |
|
D.Petrucci |
BMW |
ROKiT BMW Motorrad |
|
M.Oliveira |
BMW |
ROKiT BMW Motorrad |
|
A.Locatelli |
Yam |
Pata Maxus Yamaha |
|
X.Vierge |
Yam |
Pata Maxus Yamaha |
|
Y.Montella |
Duc |
Barni Spark |
|
A.Bautista |
Duc |
Barni Spark |
|
A.Lowes |
Bim |
bimota by Kawasaki |
|
A.Bassani |
Bim |
bimota by Kawasaki |
|
S.Chantra |
Hon |
Honda HRC |
|
J.Dixon |
Hon |
Honda HRC |
|
S.Manzi |
Yam |
GYTR GRT Yamaha |
|
R.Gardner |
Yam |
GYTR GRT Yamaha |
|
S.Lowes |
Duc |
ELF Marc VDS |
|
L.Baldassarri |
Duc |
Goeleven |
|
T.Mackenzie |
Duc |
MGM Racing |
|
G.Gerloff |
Kaw |
Kawasaki WorldSBK |
|
A.Surra |
Duc |
Motocorsa |
|
M.Rato |
Yam |
Motoxracing |
|
B.Sofuoglu |
Yam |
Motoxracing |
|
A.Iannone |
Duc |
Cainam Racing |
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