WorldSBK riders reflect on opening day at Phillip ...

WorldSBK 2026

Spherical One – Phillip Island – Friday

Nicolò Bulega – P1

“I’m very happy, particularly with how issues went this morning: the sensation with my Panigale V4 R was actually good. Within the afternoon, I didn’t have the identical feeling, most likely as a result of the asphalt was hotter. In any case, it was a particularly optimistic day.”

Alex Lowes – P2

“We made a small change to the bike within the second session, and it was perhaps not in the proper path. It was the primary run with the brand new tyre we’ve in our weekend allocation, so I wished to do a number of laps to grasp it. It felt fairly good and robust. I do really feel good on the bike, and fairly snug. I’m trying ahead to the primary race on Saturday. I don’t suppose I will probably be in Bulega’s race, however after him there are perhaps 5 guys with related velocity.”

Axel Bassani – P4

“Friday has been fairly a very good day, and we all the time labored in a great way. In FP1 the sensation was not the identical that I had within the checks a number of days in the past – however in FP2 we made some small adjustments and the sensation got here again. We additionally did numerous runs and the tempo has been constant, however we’re lacking some tenths, I feel. We are going to work much more for tomorrow and discover a little bit extra tempo, then we’ll see how issues are. We labored on each the entrance and rear of the bike, however usually we didn’t make huge adjustments, even throughout the official checks, as a result of the bottom is kind of good.”

Álvaro Bautista – P5

“It was a day of steady work. After analysing the check references, we made some changes to the bike to enhance my feeling and the setup. We discovered options that allowed me to experience higher and really feel extra snug on the bike, however I don’t suppose I’m but on the degree I’d like and I nonetheless don’t really feel utterly relaxed. We have to hold working: we collected knowledge, examined the Pirelli evolution tyre, and in contrast it with the usual compound, and now we’ve extra data to make your best option for the race.”

Lorenzo Baldassarri – P6

“Right this moment was an excellent day for us. We confirmed the velocity of the check, finishing our entire work program with out issues. We improved each session, step-by-step. I feel we’ve the proper velocity, particularly within the race. I labored quite a bit on used tyres and I wish to attempt to battle for the highest positions. Now, nonetheless, we’ve to remain centered. We’re all very shut, and qualifying will probably be very tight. Tonight I’ll attempt to perceive the final issues from the information, then I can’t wait to shut my visor for Race 1!”

Yari Montella – P7

“We centered on the long term with the race in thoughts. We had a brand new tyre to check, and our purpose was to grasp its potential over race distance. This afternoon we did a long term of about 19 laps, and the sensation was optimistic: I managed to remain constant all through the session. There are nonetheless a number of areas of the observe to enhance on, however we’re engaged on them. We’re prepared for the primary qualifying of the yr and tomorrow’s race.”

Iker Lecuona – P8

“We labored very properly, managing to enhance lap after lap. I really feel I’m beginning to recognise the restrict, and this is essential for making vital progress. Issues went very properly within the afternoon, and I managed to realize 3-tenths of a second in comparison with FP1. There may be numerous confidence: we’re heading in the right direction.”

Garrett Gerloff – P9

“I’m fairly pleased with how issues went in the present day, ending the morning’s FP1 session within the prime seven. I feel that’s my greatest FP1 efficiency right here. To complete inside the highest ten on the finish of day one is best than I’ve achieved right here in most earlier years. I nonetheless wish to be nearer to the highest 5 however, usually, I’m joyful. I’m actually pleased with all of the work that the staff is doing and the setting adjustments that we’re making. I really feel assured for tomorrow and Race One, we simply must put all the pieces collectively and have a very good day.”

Xavi Vierge – P11

“It has been a strong begin – we’ve been engaged on the wonderful tuning for my R1 WorldSBK set-up. We discovered one thing that helped me a little bit bit to maintain a very good tempo and we gained numerous confidence with the rear of the bike, so this is essential. We all know the place we have to enhance as properly and we labored laborious this afternoon to attempt to discover the few tenths of a second that we’re lacking, as a result of all the pieces is tremendous tight in the midst of the sphere. With two-tenths, we will be within the first or second row. The small particulars matter and I feel we’re working in the proper path.”

Andrea Locatelli – P15

“Day One at Phillip Island is finished! The purpose was to attempt to get the sensation increasingly as I want, after the tough check. The situations have been a bit completely different with respect to testing, however we’re additionally attempting to enhance my feeling on the bike. I’m extra snug now, we’re nonetheless lacking one thing however I wish to hold optimistic vibes to attempt to be quicker tomorrow and to maintain constructing for this primary race weekend. We are going to work tonight, keep optimistic and cross the fingers a bit that we will make a very good step ahead and as all the time, battle till the top.”

Tetsuta Nagashima – P17

“Total, the primary day right here at Phillip Island has been optimistic. The situations have been good, just like what we had throughout the check earlier this week, and I used to be capable of enhance my lap time in comparison with these classes, which is encouraging. My feeling with the bike is bettering step-by-step, together with on the electronics aspect. I’m understanding extra in regards to the package deal each time I am going out, and that’s crucial from a improvement perspective. Being on observe along with the opposite riders additionally helps, as a result of it permits me to raised consider sure facets and examine completely different conditions. I’m not pushing like loopy — I’m specializing in feeling all the pieces: the bike, the electronics, the way it reacts. Then we make adjustments and attempt to enhance progressively. I feel we’re working in a very good path. Tomorrow I’ll attempt to put the tester position barely apart and attempt to experience a bit extra like an everyday race rider, pushing a little bit extra to see what we will obtain. On the similar time, I’ll proceed gathering knowledge for the long run.”

Stefano Manzi – P18

“Lastly, we’re again racing for actual! It was a strong day, and it’s all the time nice to experience right here at Phillip Island, particularly with such good climate. We all know there’s nonetheless numerous work to do, however this afternoon we have been capable of take a very good step ahead. That offers us confidence to maintain bettering, and I can’t await the primary race.”

Remy Gardner – P19

“To be trustworthy, it was a difficult day, nevertheless it’s all the time good to be again racing, particularly right here at such a particular place. Total, the sensation is completely different in comparison with the check, perhaps due to the brand new tyre, however we’ll hold working laborious to enhance. We’ll do our greatest tomorrow and I’m assured we will take a step ahead.”

WorldSBK Mixed FP1/FP2 Outcomes

WorldSSP Tissot Superpole

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
September 11 Oct	POR	Estoril	X	X
16-18 Oct	ESP	Jerez – Angel Nieto*	X	X	X

2026 World Superbike Championship Entry Record

Rider	Bike	Workforce
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