Final Preparations Complete as Focus Turns to Round 1
Pre-season testing at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit wrapped up with Ducati firmly in control and Nicolo Bulega underlining his status as the rider to beat heading into the opening round of the championship. Across two productive days in Australia, the Italian manufacturer made a statement of intent, locking out the top four positions on the combined timesheets and leaving little doubt about the pace of the Panigale V4 R around the fast, flowing 4.445km circuit.
With testing now concluded, the paddock shifts from experimentation to execution. The stopwatch no longer tells the full story—race weekend is next.
Bulega Sets the Benchmark
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was once again the reference point. The Italian topped all four test sessions across the two days and completed an impressive 138 laps, more mileage than many of his rivals. His outright best of 1’28.630 not only stood as the fastest lap of the test but also came with notable consistency—arguably the more important factor at a circuit where tyre life and rhythm are crucial.
Phillip Island’s unique layout, with its long, sweeping corners and heavy emphasis on edge grip, rewards confidence and smooth inputs. Bulega demonstrated both. Beyond the headline lap time, his race simulations were controlled and repeatable, reinforcing why many in the paddock now see him as the early favourite for the opening weekend.
Lowes Closes In
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) emerged as Bulega’s nearest challenger, ending the test 0.666 seconds adrift. The Brit focused heavily on race preparation, completing a consistent 15-lap run during the cooler morning conditions when track grip is typically at its best.
Lowes’ pace improved steadily throughout the sessions, and he posted his fastest lap on the second run of a tyre—an encouraging sign at Phillip Island, where managing degradation is always a decisive factor. While Ducati dominated overall, Lowes’ long-run rhythm suggests he will be firmly in the mix when racing begins.
Bimota Show Promise
The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team pairing of Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes continued to show encouraging speed. Bassani set his quickest time in the morning session, while Lowes left his best effort until his final lap of the test—an indication of steady progression rather than one-lap heroics.
Between them, the duo logged a combined 140 laps, focusing on refining the balance of their new package. Although just outside the Ducati quartet on the final timesheets, both riders demonstrated the kind of pace that could disrupt the established order once racing gets underway.
Incidents and Setbacks
The second day was not without drama. Jake Dixon’s test ended almost as soon as it began after a heavy crash at Turn 11 on his first flying lap. The Honda HRC rider sustained a fracture to his left wrist and will now miss the opening round—an unfortunate blow for the rookie as he continues adapting to WorldSBK machinery.
Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) also suffered a fall at Turn 2, while Alvaro Bautista crashed at Turn 10 during the afternoon session. Despite the incident, Bautista still completed 74 laps across the test, underlining the value of track time ahead of a circuit where he has historically excelled.
Baldassarri Impresses on Return
One of the quiet surprises of the test came from Lorenzo Baldassarri. The Team GoEleven rider, making his return to the Superbike class, finished third overall. Baldassarri focused on building a solid base setting and working through race tyre consistency rather than chasing outright pace.
His position near the top of the standings may have raised eyebrows, but the Italian’s methodical approach suggests there is more to come once competitive conditions arrive.
Miguel Oliveira continued to show steady progress with ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, finishing seventh overall and leading the rookie classification.
Rider Reactions
Nicolo Bulega – Aruba.It Racing Ducati (P1)
“I feel good with the bike. In the second session we tried something different, but when you already have confidence and can push, sometimes changing things doesn’t help. So we went back to the earlier setting and everything worked well again. It’s still just a test, so the goal is to improve step by step. There are areas where we can gain more, and we’ll work on those before the race weekend. Then we’ll see where we stand.”
Sam Lowes – ELF Marc VDS Racing Team (P2)
“It was a really positive day. We improved the bike this afternoon and I found a better rhythm after doing a long run this morning to understand my feeling. My best lap came on the second run of the tyre, which is important here. I think with the hard tyre we’ll be closer, and that’s what we’ll use in the race. The team has worked hard session by session, and although there are still areas to improve, we’re competitive.”
Lorenzo Baldassarri – Team GoEleven (P3)
“Another good day for us. I enjoyed both the bike and the track and improved lap by lap. We’re working on adapting the base setting to suit my style. Confirming yesterday’s speed was important, and today we focused on consistency with the race tyre. Honestly, I didn’t expect this result from testing because I prefer to build gradually. But the feeling is strong, and I believe we’re ready for the race weekend.”
Day 2 Combined Superbike Results
- Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) – 1’28.630s
- Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.666s
- Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) +0.698s
- Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.721s
- Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.743s
- Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.945s
Supersport: Masia Maintains Control Before Rain Arrives
In the WorldSSP category, Jaume Masia concluded a strong two-day performance at the top of the combined standings. The Orelac Racing Verdnatura rider completed 39 laps on Day 2 before heavy rain swept across the circuit, cutting short the final two-hour session.
Masia’s morning pace proved decisive, with his 1’32.525 standing as the benchmark. The Spaniard has looked composed throughout the test, focusing on understanding the bike and refining consistency rather than overextending in pre-season conditions.
PTR Triumph Factory Racing enjoyed a productive outing, with Oli Bayliss and Tom Booth-Amos finishing second and third respectively. For Bayliss, the result sets up what could be a promising home round, while Booth-Amos returns to a venue where he tasted victory twelve months ago.
Philipp Oettl ended fourth overall and was the only rider inside the top fifteen not to improve on his morning time before the rain arrived.
Masia Confident Heading into Round 1
Jaume Masia – Orelac Racing Verdnatura (P1)
“The morning session went well and we focused on understanding the bike better. In the afternoon the weather changed quickly with rain and wind, but finishing first is positive. I feel confident for the weekend. I prefer to ride alone, stay calm and consistent. If the race was tomorrow, my goal would be to lead and maintain that consistency.”
Day 2 Supersport Results
- Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) – 1’32.525s
- Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +0.034s
- Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +0.188s
- Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +0.334s
- Ondrej Vostatek (Compos Racing Team) +0.337s
- Alessandro Zaccone (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) +0.476s
With testing complete and competitive times already dipping into race-winning territory, the stage is set for the opening round at Phillip Island. Ducati appear strong, Bulega has laid down an unmistakable marker, and challengers are lining up behind him.
The stopwatch has spoken. Now it’s time to race.
Images Official WorldSBK
