The long winter pause officially came to an end as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock reconvened at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto for the first private test of the 2026 season. While the atmosphere signalled a fresh start, the weather had other plans. Persistent rain throughout the opening day severely restricted running, forcing teams to adapt their plans and focus on foundational work rather than outright performance.
Despite the challenging conditions, the test marked an important early checkpoint in the build-up to the season opener at Phillip Island next month. With new rider line-ups, revised technical structures, and updated machinery across the grid, even limited track time proved valuable for establishing baselines and re-establishing working routines.
Rain Shapes a Cautious Opening Day
Heavy rainfall blanketed the Andalusian circuit for much of the day, resulting in reduced grip and standing water across several sections of the track. As a result, some riders opted to sit out entirely, including 2025 championship runner-up Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who chose not to risk running in conditions that offered little meaningful data.
For those who did venture out, the emphasis was firmly on understanding bike behaviour in low-grip conditions, verifying electronics functionality, and reacclimatising riders to their new environments rather than chasing lap times.
Petrucci Leads the Way in Tricky Conditions
Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) emerged as the most effective rider in the wet, making the most of the limited opportunities to set the fastest time of the day. The Italian posted a best lap of 1’52.976, placing him at the top of the Day 1 timesheets.
Petrucci’s performance highlighted both his adaptability and his growing comfort with the BMW M 1000 RR, particularly in less-than-ideal conditions. His experience across multiple championships once again proved valuable as he navigated the slippery surface with confidence and consistency.
Montella and Oliveira Impress Early
Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) continued to show promise in his new surroundings, finishing second, 1.218 seconds behind Petrucci. The Italian focused on steady progression rather than aggressive time attacks, an approach mirrored by much of the field given the weather.
Just behind him, Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) ended the day third overall. The Portuguese rider completed 31 laps as he continues adapting to production-based machinery after his MotoGP career. Oliveira’s calm, methodical style served him well in the wet, allowing him to gather valuable data despite the interruptions.
Manzi Settles Quickly, Lecuona Debuts with Ducati
Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) enjoyed a smooth introduction to the 2026 season, completing consistent runs before conditions deteriorated further. The reigning WorldSSP Champion ended Day 1 in fourth, continuing his gradual and structured transition to Superbike machinery.
Fifth place went to Iker Lecuona, who was experiencing his first official test day with Aruba.it Racing – Ducati. The Spaniard focused primarily on initial setup work and familiarisation with Ducati’s package, treating the wet conditions as an opportunity to understand the bike’s behaviour at the limit.
Familiarisation and Foundation Work Across the Grid
Honda HRC continued its measured approach with Jake Dixon, who prioritised mileage and familiarity aboard the CBR1000RR-R. Despite the difficult conditions, Dixon completed a steady programme and finished ninth, building confidence and understanding rather than pushing for lap time.
At Pata Maxus Yamaha, the day was dedicated almost entirely to groundwork and early data collection. Andrea Locatelli completed his runs efficiently to finish seventh, while teammate Xavi Vierge placed 12th as both riders worked through baseline settings rather than performance-focused runs.
Elsewhere, Alvaro Bautista made his first on-track appearance in Barni Spark Racing Team colours. The three-time WorldSBK Champion concentrated on initial setup evaluation and ergonomic adjustments, closing the day eighth fastest as he begins a new chapter in his career.
Continued Development for Bimota-Kawasaki
Development work also continued for the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team, with Axel Bassani and test rider Xavi Fores sharing track time aboard the KB998 Rimini. With the project still in its formative stages, the team used the wet conditions to assess electronic strategies and gather early feedback rather than chase competitive lap times.
Day 1 Top Six – Jerez Private Test
- Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) – 1’52.976
- Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +1.218s
- Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +1.284s
- Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +2.068s
- Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +2.629s
- Xavi Fores (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +2.941s
Early Steps Toward Phillip Island
While lap times were largely secondary due to the weather, the first private test of 2026 still served its purpose. Teams leave Jerez with initial reference points, early rider feedback, and a clearer understanding of where further work is required before the championship heads to Australia.
With further winter testing still to come, the groundwork laid in Jerez—however limited—represents the first tangible step toward what promises to be a highly competitive and unpredictable 2026 WorldSBK season.
Images Official WorldSBK Press
