Preparations for the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship continued in earnest as winter testing rolled on at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto. The second day of track action brought more fast laps, further refinements, and the first clear indicators of who’s finding early form heading into the new season.
Day 2: Bulega in Control
For the second day running, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) proved to be the benchmark. The reigning WorldSBK race winner set the tone early and never looked back, topping the timesheets with a rapid 1’37.587 — the quickest lap of the entire test so far. More impressively, Bulega was the only rider capable of repeatedly dipping into the 1’37 bracket, showing not just outright pace but also consistency across long runs.
“It was quite a good day, even if we only managed half a day of work,” Bulega reflected. “We improved a bit from yesterday after analysing everything overnight. I felt comfortable straight away and made small steps forward with turning — not perfect yet, but better. I lost a little in braking compared to yesterday, but overall it was progress. We’ve gathered great data for the winter, and I know the team will work hard to be ready for next year.”
Lecuona Impresses in Ducati Debut
Iker Lecuona, still adapting to life inside the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati garage after switching from Honda, enjoyed a productive day. The Spaniard steadily chipped away at his times and grew visibly more confident aboard the Panigale V4 R. On his 70th and final lap of the day, he clocked a 1’38.444, securing second overall, just 0.857s shy of Bulega’s pace — an encouraging sign in only his second outing with the factory Ducati squad.
Lecuona’s smooth adaptation and analytical feedback were warmly received by the team, who see the 26-year-old as an ideal long-term asset alongside Bulega.
Lowes Leads the Bimota Charge
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) continued to show competitive pace as the Rimini-based manufacturer develops its new KB4 RR-inspired KB998 superbike. Lowes managed a 1’38.756 on his 44th lap, securing third fastest overall and leading the bimota-Kawasaki effort. His steady progress throughout both test days reflects the solid foundation the new project has built under the guidance of Kawasaki’s factory engineers.
His teammate, Axel Bassani, was also among the front-runners, ending fifth overall with a 1’39.050 — just 0.052sbehind Michael van der Mark (BMW). Bassani had led the early morning sessions and completed over 50 laps, delivering crucial data for the team as development of the KB998 continues.
BMW’s Late Surge
For BMW, Michael van der Mark carried the factory’s testing duties in the absence of their incoming 2026 signings. The Dutchman found time late in the day to string together a strong sequence of laps, breaking into the 1’38s with a 1’38.998. Completing 75 laps in total, van der Mark provided valuable continuity to BMW’s winter testing programme as the German manufacturer refines its electronics package and explores setup options for the updated M 1000 RR.
Honda Continues Development Push
Honda’s test programme also continued in parallel, with Corentin Perolari, Ryan Vickers, and Alan Techer sharing duties on the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade. While the trio focused on development rather than headline lap times, all three riders logged significant mileage. Perolari led the Honda contingent with a 1’39.607, narrowly ahead of Vickers (1’39.659) and Techer (1’40.323). The Japanese manufacturer’s test team concentrated on chassis updates and data collection for ongoing improvements ahead of next year’s full-season push.
What’s Next
Testing at Jerez is set to continue on 26–27 November, marking the final European track action of the calendar year before preparations move into private winter workshops. Teams will use the upcoming sessions to validate parts and gather data before a short break, ahead of January’s pre-season schedule.
Bulega may have once again set the benchmark, but the margins are already tightening — and with Ducati, Bimota-Kawasaki, BMW, and Honda all showing clear signs of progress, the groundwork for a fiercely competitive 2026 WorldSBK season is already being laid.
