Bulega Sets the Early Benchmark as Conditions Improve on Day 2 at Jerez
The second day of private testing for the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto finally delivered the conditions teams had been waiting for. With the rain easing and the track surface steadily improving throughout the day, riders were able to push harder, complete meaningful runs, and begin properly assessing new machinery and early-season setups.
With another key private test scheduled at Portimão on January 28–29, Day 2 at Jerez represented a vital opportunity to gather usable data—and Nicolo Bulega ensured his first appearance of the year was anything but quiet. The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider topped the timesheets with a best lap of 1’39.331, immediately laying down an early marker for the 2026 campaign.
Ducati Duo Make an Immediate Impact
Despite sitting out most of the rain-affected opening day, Bulega wasted no time reacclimatising to Superbike machinery. His 1’39.331 was not only the fastest lap of the session but also a clear sign that Ducati’s latest Panigale V4R package is already operating at a high level.
Bulega explained that the limited running on Day 1 meant Day 2 was as much about rediscovering rhythm as outright pace:
“For the first test, it wasn’t so bad, honestly, but the weather was a problem. The track had a lot of wet patches, so it wasn’t very useful. I only managed 20 laps. The last time I rode a bike before winter was a MotoGP, so I used these laps to get the feeling of the Superbike back. My first impression of the new Ducati is good; I already tried it here last October. It feels positive, but it’s still a new bike, so we need to keep going and do more laps.”
Alongside him, new teammate Iker Lecuona continued his adaptation to Ducati colours. The Spaniard showed steady progress throughout the day, completing 26 laps and finishing sixth fastest with a 1’39.979. His session wasn’t without drama, however, as a minor crash at Turn 5 briefly interrupted proceedings. Despite that setback, Lecuona’s pace and consistency underlined a promising start to his new chapter with the Bologna manufacturer.
Kawasaki-Bimota Package Shows Growing Promise
The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team again featured prominently near the front, as Alex Lowes pushed Bulega close for top honours. Lowes posted a best lap of 1’39.450—just 0.119 seconds adrift—while completing a focused 16-lap programme aboard the KB998 Rimini.
Teammate Axel Bassani also contributed valuable mileage and feedback, finishing seventh with a 1’40.069. While Bassani’s headline time sat just outside the top six, his role in evaluating components and providing direction for the evolving 2026 package remains a central part of Kawasaki and Bimota’s joint development strategy.
Yamaha and Independent Efforts Build Momentum
Xavi Vierge emerged as Yamaha’s leading representative on Day 2, placing third overall with a 1’39.770. The Pata Maxus Yamaha rider completed 34 laps, concentrating on consistency and base setup rather than time attacks. His steady improvement reflects Yamaha’s methodical approach as it continues reshaping its WorldSBK programme for the new season.
Just behind him, Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) continued his own adaptation to Superbike machinery, rounding out the top four with a 1’39.811. Across 27 laps, Lowes focused on early-season checks and refining ergonomics, showing clear progress as he builds confidence in the premier class.
BMW Prioritise Development Over Lap Times
BMW’s focus remained firmly on development rather than chasing the stopwatch. Miguel Oliveira and Danilo Petrucci worked through structured programmes aboard the new M 1000 RR, completing 29 and 19 laps respectively. Oliveira set a best time of 1’40.447, with Petrucci close behind on 1’40.823, both gathering valuable early feedback on electronics, balance, and tyre behaviour.
Test rider Michael van der Mark played a key supporting role, logging an impressive 45 laps and finishing fifth fastest with a 1’39.836. His experience continues to be central to BMW’s refinement of both race and development configurations as the manufacturer prepares for a demanding 2026 campaign.
Progress Across the Rest of the Grid
Elsewhere, Garrett Gerloff showed encouraging pace for the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team, finishing 11th with a 1’40.445 as he continues to adapt to the ZX-10RR. Honda HRC’s Jake Dixon completed 29 laps on the CBR1000RR-R, ending the day 13th with a 1’40.450 as Honda continues its winter development programme.
Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) focused on mileage rather than position, finishing 23rd after completing 43 laps. Meanwhile, Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) made his WorldSBK testing debut, taking his first steps aboard the Ducati Panigale V4R and beginning the learning process at Superbike level.
Day 2 – Jerez Private Test (Top Six)
- Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) – 1’39.331
- Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.119s
- Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +0.439s
- Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.480s
- Michael van der Mark (BMW Test Team) +0.505s
- Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.648s
Eyes Turn Toward Portimão
With the Jerez private test now complete, teams leave Spain with far more usable data than Day 1 allowed. The focus now shifts to Portimão, where the flowing, undulating Algarve circuit will offer a very different challenge—and perhaps a clearer indication of which manufacturers have made the biggest winter strides as the 2026 season edges closer.
Images Official WorldSBK Press
