WorldSBK 2026
January Portimao Check
January 28-29, 2026
The second and last European pre-season check for the majority of the WorldSBK paddock unfolded at Portimao this week beneath a lot the identical theme as Jerez seven days earlier: loads of planning and Euros spent, however not a lot significant observe time…
After intermittent rain and combined situations curtailed the two-day Jerez outing, the 2 scheduled days on the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve have been once more closely compromised.
Day one at Portimao was successfully written off by in a single day showers and robust winds, whereas day two provided extra constant situations, however they remained totally moist and chilly, leaving groups largely confined to methods checks, moist set-up work and reliability duties. Nevertheless, Gerloff’s enterprise on slicks throughout a quick lapse within the showers on day one noticed the American end the check quickest general.
With the Australian season opener now looming, many of the correct pre-season workload has been pushed onto the Phillip Island official check in mid-February.
Day 1 – wind, heavy rain and only a few laps
Solely a handful of riders ventured out on Wednesday, and even then, it was largely about gathering baseline information slightly than exploring limits or evaluating new components back-to-back.
Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Crew) topped the restricted working with a 1m46.262s, set on a still-damp observe. Gerloff was additionally the primary WorldSBK rider to roll onto slicks regardless of the floor by no means totally drying.
Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) was subsequent quickest on 1m47.246s, whereas Lorenzo Baldassarri (Crew GoEleven) logged 1m50.317s as he continues his return to the category and his adaptation to the Ducati.
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Crew) circulated for in-and-out laps however didn’t file a consultant time.
In World Supersport, Philipp Oettl (Really feel Racing WorldSSP Crew) was successfully a lone employee within the situations, posting 1m48.735s.
WorldSBK Portimao Check Day One Occasions
 |
|||
|
Pos |
Rider |
Bike |
Time/Hole |
|
1 |
G. Gerloff |
Kaw |
1m46.262 |
|
2 |
A. Surra |
Duc |
+0.984 |
|
3 |
P. Oettl |
Duc |
+2.473 |
|
4 |
G. Gerloff |
Kaw |
+2.973 |
|
5 |
L. Baldassarri |
Duc |
+4.055 |
|
6 |
HRC Check Bike 1 |
Hon |
+6.252 |
|
7 |
L. Stapleford |
Duc |
+7.303 |
|
8 |
C. Beaubier |
Duc |
+9.231 |
|
9 |
X. Forés |
Bim |
+9.285 |
|
10 |
TEAM ERC |
Bmw |
+9.698 |
|
11 |
T. Nagashima |
Hon |
+10.692 |
|
12 |
Aruba Testing Bike |
Duc |
+10.780 |
|
13 |
P. Jordan |
Duc |
+11.766 |
|
14 |
X. Forés |
Bim |
+15.484 |
|
15 |
T. Nagashima |
Hon |
+18.540 |
|
16 |
T. Badwell |
Duc |
+22.079 |
|
17 |
L. Baldassarri |
— |
+29.765 |
|
18 |
S. Lowes |
Duc |
/ |
|
19 |
S. Lowes |
Duc |
/ |
Day 2 – persistently moist, however at the very least usable
Thursday stayed moist from begin to end, however the diminished wind and steadier situations inspired extra riders to finish structured programmes. No rider managed to finest Gerloff’s time set in higher observe situations on day one.
Garrett Gerloff
“The Portimao check has been powerful, and we weren’t capable of trip on a completely dry observe in any respect. On the primary day, I accomplished about 20 laps on a moist observe. I went out on slicks too, although I needed to be very cautious to not make any errors and threat crashing. However I wished to do this to be able to give the group some information, as they’ve all labored so laborious over the winter on the Ninja ZX-10RR. It was essential to check the brand new aerodynamics – that is the perfect observe for that, with its lengthy straight. I may see a particular enchancment regardless that I wasn’t actually pushing, however the growth work will solely actually begin in Australia, over the last two-day check.”
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing Ducati) once more made his single-day method depend, topping day two with a 1m59.144s within the moist. Iker Lecuona was shut behind, simply 0.039s adrift, and logged 35 laps as Aruba continued to construct understanding of the 2026-spec Panigale package deal in poor situations.
Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) was one of many standouts within the rain, finishing 32 laps throughout two machines and setting a 2m00.111s finest to finish the day inside the highest three. Honda additionally continued to lean on Tetsuta Nagashima, who logged extra wet-weather mileage throughout the 2 days as Somkiat Chantra continues to get well from damage.
Jake Dixon
“It was a really difficult check due to the climate, with numerous rain and troublesome situations, however we tried to profit from the time we had on observe. Driving within the moist all day shouldn’t be simple, particularly for me as a rookie in Superbike and on a very new bike, however each lap was essential to continue learning. We targeted primarily on rain settings, my driving place and electronics, working carefully with the group to raised perceive the bike step-by-step. Coming from Moto2, the sensation and the way in which you trip the bike are very completely different, so I do know I want many extra laps to construct confidence, particularly beneath braking and on nook entry. After all we’d all choose dry situations, however even in these circumstances we have been capable of study helpful issues. Now we head to Australia understanding there’s nonetheless to enhance, however with a transparent route and the motivation to maintain progressing”.
Surra backed up his day one working with extra laps on day two, ending fourth quickest on 2m00.757s after finishing 40 laps throughout the check, whereas Baldassarri continued to construct his base with a 2m01.610s.
Barni Spark Racing handled Portimao primarily as a preparation and reliability cease. Yari Montella accomplished 30 laps on day two and set 2m04.442s, whereas Álvaro Bautista didn’t trip, with the group preferring to not take dangers within the situations.
Álvaro Bautista
“Sadly, I wasn’t capable of trip on observe throughout these two days as a consequence of troublesome situations, and we most well-liked to not take any dangers. We continued working within the storage, taking the time to get to know the group higher. We’ll see if in Australia we’ll be capable of work with the bike on observe.”
Yari Montella
“In these Portimão checks, we have been solely capable of full one of many two scheduled days, however we made full use of it. We carried out some technical checks to make sure the bike was prepared for Australia, engaged on a number of features together with the gas tanks. Our purpose wasn’t outright efficiency, however to trip and make clear issues so we are able to arrive as ready as potential for the primary race of the season. From this viewpoint, it was an essential check as a result of it helped us determine areas that want consideration earlier than the Australian spherical.”
For the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Crew, the contracted riders Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani didn’t flip a lap, leaving check rider Xavi Fores to hold the programme. Fores banked 37 laps and set a better of 2m01.807s, with the main target largely on moist electronics and set-up observations slightly than efficiency conclusions.
Alex Lowes
“Xavi Fores and the blokes have been working actually laborious to enhance the bike for rain situations. All the group is working collectively properly, so thanks to everybody for the hassle. From my facet, we didn’t get ok situations to make any laps, so it was a barely irritating journey right down to Portimão. We’ll head to Australia optimistic concerning the enhancements we’ve remodeled the winter, and work by way of some gadgets throughout the two-day check at Phillip Island to be prepared for Spherical One. For now, I’ve the group launch to sit up for subsequent week and seeing the 2026 group colors.”
Axel Bassani
“I didn’t set any laps at Portimao so I can not touch upon the bike or the work we did. Xavi labored actually laborious in actually dangerous climate situations, so because of him for testing for us. Ultimately, we’ll head to Australia with everybody on the identical stage. Nobody has examined lots, just a bit beneath wet situations. We can have a really busy two days of official testing in Australia as a result of there shall be numerous work to do and numerous gadgets to strive. We’ll do our greatest to search out one of the best answer for the primary spherical of the yr.”
Garrett Gerloff had opted to finish his check early after day one, noting the shortage of a completely dry observe made correct comparisons troublesome, regardless that he felt an preliminary aero enchancment on the lengthy Portimao straight and completed the check quickest general.
What it means – Phillip Island now carries the load
Throughout Jerez and Portimao, groups have successfully had solely fragments of semi-representative working, with most on-track time in moist or combined situations. That makes the Phillip Island official check (February 16–17) extra essential than normal, as it is going to be the primary likelihood for a lot of to validate dry set-ups, tyre understanding and new parts earlier than racing begins. Some groups will enterprise to Valencia earlier than packing their highway instances for the lengthy trek south to Phillip Island. The Australian circuit basked in temperatures above 40 levels over the previous week, however who is aware of what the climate shall be for the two-day check there in lower than three weeks’ time. The 2026 WorldSBK season then opens with spherical one at Phillip Island on February 20–22.
WorldSBK Portimao Check Day Two Occasions
|
|||
|
Pos |
Rider |
Bike |
Time/Hole |
|
1 |
N. Bulega |
Duc |
1m59.144 |
|
2 |
I. Lecuona |
Duc |
+0.039 |
|
3 |
J. Dixon |
Hon |
+0.967 |
|
4 |
J. Dixon |
Hon |
+1.040 |
|
5 |
A. Surra |
Duc |
+1.613 |
|
6 |
TEAM ERC |
BMW |
+1.723 |
|
7 |
C. Beaubier |
Duc |
+2.106 |
|
8 |
L. Baldassarri |
Duc |
+2.466 |
|
9 |
X. Forés |
Bim |
+2.663 |
|
10 |
T. Badwell |
Duc |
+4.063 |
|
11 |
T. Nagashima |
Hon |
+4.161 |
|
12 |
Y. Montella |
Duc |
+5.298 |
|
13 |
X. Forés |
Bim |
+5.432 |
|
14 |
L. Stapleford |
Duc |
+5.763 |
|
15 |
P. Oettl |
Duc |
+9.592 |
|
16 |
Y. Montella |
Duc |
+10.321 |
|
17 |
P. Oettl |
Duc |
+18.763 |
|
18 |
HRC Check Bike 1 |
Hon |
/ |
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 |
Crew |
|
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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