Fresh Faces and New Beginnings: WorldSBK Returns to Jerez for the Second Winter Test

The off-season may be short, but it is rarely quiet—and the second winter test proved exactly that as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock rolled back into the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto for two more days of crucial 2026 preparation. With sessions taking place on November 26–27, teams arrived armed with new parts, new riders, and renewed expectations as phase two of winter development officially took shape.

This test held added importance: it marked the first time several high-profile rider transfers were seen in action, and it offered the clearest early look yet at how each manufacturer is approaching the rapidly approaching 2026 season.

BMW: Petrucci & Oliveira Start Their New Adventure Together

The ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team entered the Jerez test with a completely fresh rider lineup—and an air of curiosity surrounding how quickly their two new signings would gel with the M 1000 RR.

It was the first time Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira shared the track as BMW teammates, and both men spent the opening day immersed in the fundamentals: ergonomics, electronics mapping, tyre behaviour, and building a base understanding of how BMW’s package behaves around the heavy-braking, hard-accelerating Jerez layout.

Petrucci, already familiar with powerful Superbikes thanks to prior WSBK experience, adapted rapidly and ended Day 1 as the sixth-fastest rider, showing consistent improvement each run. Oliveira—known for his precise, methodical style from his MotoGP years—was not far behind. He slotted into eighth overall, a promising sign given he is still at the very beginning of his transition to production-based machinery.

Both riders ended the day with positive feedback, noting the bike’s stability under braking and the strong working chemistry inside the garage.

Honda HRC: Chantra & Dixon Make Their WorldSBK Debuts

One of the most anticipated stories of the test came from the Team HRC garage, as Somkiat Chantra and Jake Dixonofficially made their WorldSBK debuts.

This marks a significant shift for Honda, who are doubling down on a new direction after several challenging seasons. The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade was fitted with updated electronics strategies and minor chassis tweaks designed to suit their new riders.

Despite it being their first-ever outing on WorldSBK machinery, both riders immediately impressed:

• Jake Dixon completed 61 laps and finished ninth, quickly displaying confidence in rear-grip management and high-speed commitment.
• Somkiat Chantra, who logged an impressive 71 laps, followed just behind in tenth, steadily improving across the day as he adapted to the heavier, more powerful Superbike.

For rookies stepping up from Moto2 machinery, such competitive lap times this early in the process speak to both riders’ raw ability and Honda’s solid groundwork.

Yamaha: Locatelli Sets the Benchmark While Vierge & Manzi Settle In

It was a busy—and extremely productive—day in the Yamaha camp. With several riders adjusting to new roles or new machinery, the blue garages were among the most active of the test.

Xavi Vierge & Stefano Manzi

Both riders continued their adaptation to the Yamaha R1, focusing heavily on corner-entry stability and drive grip—two of Yamaha’s historic strengths. Their day consisted of multiple long runs, electronics refinement, and data acquisition to help build a more complete picture of each rider’s preferences heading into 2026.

Andrea Locatelli & Giulio Nava: A New Partnership Begins

Perhaps the biggest story of the day was Andrea Locatelli, who not only topped the timesheets but did so while working with his new Crew Chief, Giulio Nava.

Nava, known for his analytical approach and past success with multiple Yamaha riders, wasted no time establishing a solid working relationship with Locatelli. The pair focused on baseline settings and tyre behaviour—and the results spoke loudly.

Locatelli finished Day 1 as the fastest rider overall, and—the headline moment—the only rider to dip into the 1’38s. It was a statement lap that signalled Yamaha’s intent for 2026.

WorldSSP: Dominique Aegerter Returns to Familiar Ground

Over in the Supersport paddock, two-time WorldSSP Champion Dominique Aegerter took his first laps on the Kawasaki ZX-6R, marking his full-time return to the category after three seasons in WorldSBK.

Aegerter’s test was dedicated primarily to reacclimating himself to the lightweight, high-corner-speed nature of the 600cc class. The Swiss rider worked through setup changes, brake feel, and gearing adjustments—all crucial elements when switching from a 1000cc Superbike back to a middleweight machine.

Early signs were positive, with Aegerter immediately comfortable and able to gather valuable data for Kawasaki’s 2026 project.