Bulega Lays Down an Early Marker in Australia
The 2026 WorldSBK paddock finally got its first proper taste of track action at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, and conditions could hardly have been better. Clear skies, warm sunshine and a light coastal breeze provided a welcome change from the cold and rain that disrupted much of the European winter testing programme. With four hours of track time shared between the Superbike and Supersport classes, teams wasted no time getting down to work.
From the outset, it was Nicolo Bulega who set the benchmark.
Superbikes: Bulega in Control from the Start
The pre-season favourite wasted little time asserting himself. Riding for Aruba.It Racing – Ducati, Bulega topped both sessions on Day 1 and looked immediately at ease around the fast, flowing Phillip Island layout. The Italian racked up 72 laps—an impressive workload—and, perhaps more tellingly, recorded more than 30 laps under the 1m30s mark. That kind of consistency this early in the week suggests both rider and machine are already close to race trim.
His best lap of 1’29.345s stood comfortably clear at the top of the timesheets. Only three other riders managed to dip beneath the 1m30 barrier, underlining just how strong Bulega’s pace was. Axel Bassani, now racing for bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team, emerged as his closest challenger. Bassani ended the day 0.291 seconds adrift, a narrow margin considering the heavy fuel and testing programmes that typically define these sessions.
Sam Lowes endured a far more dramatic day. The ELF Marc VDS Racing Team rider lost valuable time in the morning due to a technical issue before suffering a crash in the afternoon. However, the Brit responded in determined fashion, heading back out and posting his quickest lap during a focused six-lap run late in the session. He ended third overall, just over half a second off Bulega’s benchmark.
Yari Montella slotted into fourth for Barni Spark Racing Team, ahead of Garrett Gerloff, who continues to grow into his role with the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team. Alex Lowes completed the top six aboard the second bimota entry, ensuring both machines featured prominently on the opening day.
Encouraging Signs for Yamaha and the Rookies
After a winter limited by poor weather, Yamaha riders were eager for uninterrupted dry running—and they largely got it. Xavi Vierge emerged as the fastest rider for Pata Maxus Yamaha, finishing ninth overall despite a morning crash. It was a steady and encouraging start for the Spaniard.
Reigning Supersport World Champion Stefano Manzi, now stepping up full-time to the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, also experienced a fall but remained composed. He ended the day just two tenths of a second behind Vierge as he continues adapting to the more powerful Superbike package.
Jake Dixon led the rookie charge for Honda HRC. The former Moto2 race winner has been steadily building confidence aboard the CBR1000RR-R and closed Day 1 in tenth position. He finished ahead of Miguel Oliveira, who is continuing his transition to the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team machinery, as well as Manzi.
There were eight crashes recorded during the Superbike sessions—perhaps not surprising given Phillip Island’s high-speed nature and the importance of maximising limited test time. Among them was an early-afternoon fall for two-time World Champion Alvaro Bautista at Turn 5. The Barni Spark Racing Team rider, an eight-time winner at this venue, ended the day eighth fastest, just under a second from Bulega. With his experience at this circuit, few would bet against him finding more pace before the race weekend begins.
Bulega Reflects on a Strong Opening Day
Nicolo Bulega was understandably satisfied with how Day 1 unfolded, especially considering the limited winter preparation.
“It was important to start like this. We have a new bike and during the winter we weren’t able to test properly because of the weather, so today was really our first proper day on track. I was able to complete a lot of laps, which was the main objective, and I’m happy with the work we did.
Last year we arrived here with more testing already done, so this time we still have things to understand. It was very hot today, which probably cost us a few tenths, but overall I’m quite happy with the base setup. There are areas to improve, and tomorrow we’ll try to take another step and prepare properly for the race weekend.”
His comments highlight a key point: while the lap times are impressive, the bigger picture is about understanding a new package in race-like conditions.
Superbike – Day 1 Results
- Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) – 1’29.345s
- Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.291s
- Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.562s
- Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.576s
- Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) +0.670s
- Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.914s
Supersport: Masia Sets the Standard
In the WorldSSP class, Jaume Masia made a similarly authoritative start. The Orelac Racing Verdnatura rider completed 50 laps across the two sessions and topped the timing sheets both in the morning and afternoon. His approach was methodical—short five-lap runs, focusing on rhythm rather than headline times—and it paid off.
Masia’s 1’32.866s placed him firmly at the top. Behind him, Oli Bayliss enjoyed a strong showing on home soil for PTR Triumph Factory Racing. The Australian finished second, 0.346 seconds behind Masia, clearly motivated by racing in front of a domestic crowd.
Philipp Oettl put in a busy day with 64 laps on the Feel Racing WorldSSP Team Ducati, ending third fastest overall.
Track conditions evolved significantly throughout the day, with temperatures climbing by around 15°C between the morning and afternoon sessions. That made improvements later in the day particularly noteworthy. Josh Whatley and Lucas Mahias were among the few riders to set their fastest laps during the hotter afternoon period, demonstrating adaptability as grip levels changed.
Dominique Aegerter’s return to Supersport also attracted attention. The double WorldSSP champion is back in the class with Kawasaki and logged 59 laps. He saved his best effort for his penultimate lap, continuing to build familiarity with the Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 as he readjusts to the category.
Supersport – Day 1 Results
- Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) – 1’32.866s
- Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.346s
- Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +0.550s
- Harry Whatley (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) +0.593s
- Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +0.769s
- Alessandro Zaccone (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) +0.774s
With ideal weather, heavy mileage and competitive lap times already on the board, Day 1 at Phillip Island offered an early glimpse of how the 2026 WorldSBK and WorldSSP seasons may shape up. Bulega has struck first—but with more track time still to come, the story is far from settled.
Images Official WorldSBK
