WorldSBK: Bulega sets the pace as 2026 winter testing kicks off at Jerez
WorldSBK: The first day of post-season testing for the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship took place at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, with riders and teams returning to the track just days after the conclusion of the 2025 season.
WorldSBK: The first day of post-season testing for the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship took place at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, with riders and teams returning to the track just days after the conclusion of the 2025 season.Day 1 Highlights
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) dominated the first day of testing, setting a fastest lap of 1’38.027 with 40 minutes remaining, surpassing his best laps from Race 1 and Race 2 of the 2025 Pirelli Spanish Round. His new teammate Iker Lecuona made his first laps on Ducati machinery, finishing 7th fastest with a 1’39.520.
Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) emerged as the top Yamaha rider on his debut, securing 2nd fastest with a 1’39.137 on his 39th lap. Andrea Locatelli ended 5th fastest with 1’39.479, joining Manzi and Vierge on track for the final laps of the session.
Rookie Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), in his first appearance as a full-time WorldSBK rider, clocked 1’39.349 on his 87th lap, finishing 3rd fastest and fastest among the Yamaha R1s. He also completed the most laps of any rider, with 95 laps by the session’s end.
Starting his second WorldSBK season, Bahattin Sofuoglu (Yamaha Motoxracing) rose to 4th fastest with a 1’39.433. New to the team, Mattia Rato completed 60 laps, finishing 14th fastest with 1’41.243.
Michael van der Mark represented BMW in place of their new riders, ending the day 6th fastest with 1’39.492.
Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) completed 61 laps, posting the 8th fastest time of 1’39.689 as he begins preparation for his second season with Kawasaki.
Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) rounded out the top ten, finishing 9th fastest while still recovering from his final-round crash.
WorldSSP riders in action included Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) and Simon Jespersen (EAB Racing Team), with Oettl posting the fastest lap of the category.
Ducati Technical Coordinator Marco Zambenedetti confirmed that the 2026 Panigale has undergone extensive revisions including new aerodynamics, chassis, suspension, electronics, and engine updates.
Ex-teammates Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge made their debuts with their new teams, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati and Pata Maxus Yamaha.
2025 WorldSSP Champion Stefano Manzi made his first appearance with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, embarking on an exciting new chapter in his racing career
Garrett Gerloff started his winter testing program with Kawasaki ahead of his second season with the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team.
Mattia Rato made his WorldSBK debut with Yamaha Motoxracing, joining Bahattin Sofuoglu on the 2026 line-up.
Ryan Vickers made his debut as Honda HRC test rider, taking to the track for the first time on the CBR 1000 RR-R.
As BMW’s new riders were unable to attend, Michael van der Mark stepped in to represent the team, continuing his work with the manufacturer since 2021.
For more info checkout our dedicated WorldSBK (World Superbike) News page superbike-news.co.uk/category/world-superbikes/
Or visit the official World Superbike website worldsbk.com
©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of WorldSBK.com
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