The winter break may be in full swing, but preparations for the 2026 season are already intensifying. Teams wrapped up a productive two-day testing programme at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, marking the final major track activity of the year before development resumes in January. Riders and engineers leave Andalusia with fresh data, revised setups, new components evaluated, and a clearer understanding of the direction they must take before the championship roars back to life.

All eyes now turn to the upcoming winter schedule: another two-day test at Jerez on 21–22 January 2026, followed by an essential four-day block at Portugal’s Autódromo Internacional do Algarve on 28–29 January, where teams will refine their machines on one of the most physically demanding and technically complex circuits on the calendar.

Day 2 Headlines: What We Learned in Jerez

Lowes Sets the Pace with a Benchmark Lap

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) capped off the test by dropping a rapid 1’37.824, a time strikingly close to his race-pace laps from the 2025 Spanish Round. With track temperatures stabilising in the afternoon and grip improving, Lowes was able to push the new-era Bimota-Kawasaki package with confidence. His lap not only topped the session but signalled that Kawasaki’s restructuring – including its technical partnership with Bimota – may already be bearing fruit.

This marks one of Lowes’ strongest winter-testing performances in recent years and reinforces optimism within the Kawasaki camp as they continue to rebuild toward the front after a transitional 2025 season.

Vierge Shines in Blue – Yamaha’s New Era Begins Smoothly

Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) continued his impressive adaptation to the Yamaha R1, finishing the day just 0.234 seconds shy of Lowes. This early speed supports Yamaha’s belief that the Spanish rider can be a key pillar in their 2026 project.

Vierge’s performance is especially important given Yamaha’s structural overhaul for the new season. With fresh technical direction and expanded testing responsibilities, Vierge’s fast integration into the bike’s character — known for its stability and mid-corner precision — is a promising sign.

BMW Strong with van der Mark in P3

Michael van der Mark (BMW) put in 72 laps and secured third place with a 1’38.125, demonstrating solid form as BMW continues its momentum after two championship-winning seasons. The Dutchman’s pace suggests that the updated M1000RR retains the strong turning and braking characteristics the team focused on throughout 2025.

Locatelli Evaluates Major Components in Intensive Yamaha Test

Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) completed one of the most workload-heavy programmes of the day. Yamaha tasked him with:

• Testing a revised swingarm
• Running two different test bikes
• Evaluating new geometry settings
• Conducting tyre endurance runs

Despite the large workload, he still finished in fourth, just 0.311s away from Lowes — a strong indication that Yamaha’s 2026 development direction is already paying dividends.

BMW’s New Duo Continues to Build Consistency

Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) continued their structured integration with BMW, this time supported by updated technical staff including renowned crew chief Andrew Pitt.

• Petrucci, known for his adaptability, finished fifth after consistent long runs.
• Oliveira completed 73 laps, ending the day in eighth, continuing to learn the nuances of production-based racing after years in MotoGP.

The pair’s steady progression confirms that BMW is focused on long-game development rather than outright time-attack laps.

Bassani Begins a New Chapter with Crew Chief Uri Pallares

Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) made his first on-track appearance with incoming crew chief Uri Pallares, formerly part of Yamaha’s engineering group. Their immediate performance was encouraging:

• Bassani finished sixth, showing improved confidence
• The team tested new mechanical options and electronic settings
• Feedback between rider and crew chief appeared strong from the outset

Given Bassani’s aggressive style and Pallares’ meticulous technical approach, this new partnership could unlock significant performance gains.

Manzi Continues to Adapt at GYTR GRT Yamaha

Stefano Manzi completed a smooth and productive day, placing seventh. As he continues to transition from WorldSSP to the R1 Superbike, Manzi concentrated on:

• Finding braking stability
• Improving corner exit control
• Adjusting ergonomics to suit his riding posture

Each run showed measurable gains as he continues building his superbike foundation.

Honda HRC Focuses on Fundamentals with Chantra & Dixon

Honda dedicated the session to giving Somkiat Chantra and Jake Dixon the mileage needed to understand the updated CBR1000RR-R. The duo logged over 120 combined laps, with the goal of:

• Learning the weight distribution of the Superbike
• Working on electronics familiarity
• Running baseline geometry settings

Jake Dixon experienced two small, harmless excursions at Turn 2 and Turn 5, typical when finding the edge of grip during early adaptation.

Chantra finished the day 10th, Dixon 12th, completing Honda’s consistently methodical day of groundwork.

WorldSSP: Alcoba Tops the Supersport Timesheets

In the Supersport category, Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) set the benchmark with a 1’42.167 — a strong early indicator that Kawasaki’s refreshed Supersport project may have podium potential heading into 2026.

Alcoba’s background as a former Moto3 and Moto2 racer appears to be helping his adaptation, especially through the fast-flowing final sector at Jerez, where Supersport machines require aggressive corner speed and momentum.

A Productive End to 2025 — and a Tense Build-Up to 2026

With Jerez’s November test now complete, teams leave Spain armed with gigabytes of data and plenty of winter homework. The January tests will be critical, as they offer the first hints at which factories have made meaningful steps — and which may need to rethink their approach before Round 1.

Winter is only just getting started, but the groundwork for the opening round is already taking shape.