WorldSBK 2026
Jerez Take a look at – October
The primary laps of the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship have been turned at Jerez yesterday, as riders and groups returned to the observe simply days after the 2025 season finale. Regardless of mild rain early on, situations improved to permit a full day of testing, and it was Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who set the tempo.
Bulega Leads the Manner for Ducati
The 2025 runner-up picked up proper the place he left off, clocking a 1’38.027 within the afternoon to high the timesheets.
Iker Lecuona made his first look on the Panigale V4 R, ending seventh quickest with a 1’39.520 after steadily bettering all through the day.
Ducati’s Technical Coordinator, Marco Zambenedetti – “The 2026 Panigale is all new, it’s a motorbike that has been absolutely, deeply revised in each space. The aerodynamics use some ideas from MotoGP; the chassis is totally revised, with a brand new entrance body, rear swing arm, completely different steadiness, a totally completely different gearbox and engine heads, in addition to revised suspension, and a very completely different electronics package deal. In comparison with the previous mannequin, the most important distinction might be adjustments to the chassis and aerodynamics by way of bike behaviour, however the riders’ suggestions and the lap occasions will inform us. We wish to give a heat welcome to Iker. As of late we have to deal with his feeling with the bike. I feel he has a lot of potential, and with the workforce being new, I hope we are going to discover the precise approach to work at our greatest collectively.”
Vierge impresses on Yamah debut
Xavi Vierge made his debut with Pata Maxus Yamaha after switching from Honda. The Spaniard tailored shortly to the R1, setting a 1’39.137 to complete second total and quickest Yamaha. The Spaniard had gone faster on the Honda over the race weekend, nevertheless it was a powerful first outing on the Yamaha.
Teammate Andrea Locatelli ended fifth quickest (1’39.479) whereas finishing a sequence of back-to-back comparisons on up to date Yamaha elements.
“We have been making an attempt a few new choices to discover a step ahead,” mentioned Locatelli. “We discovered some fairly optimistic issues and now have one month to organize once more earlier than the following check.”
Workforce Principal Paul Denning praised Vierge’s begin: “It’s Xavi’s first contact on the R1, and to finish the day second total isn’t a foul begin. He’s skilled, fast to adapt, and has a giant smile on his face, a terrific debut for the 2026 programme.”
Manzi Makes an Impression on WorldSBK Debut
Contemporary from his WorldSSP title triumph, Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Workforce) wasted no time making an impression in his first full Superbike outing, setting the third-fastest time with a 1’39.349.
The Italian accomplished a mammoth 95 laps, greater than another rider, and was quickest of the Yamaha R1 contingent at one stage.
“It’s superb to make my WorldSBK debut,” mentioned Manzi. “The climate wasn’t ultimate early on, however we did loads of work and I’m glad total. From the following assessments, we’ll focus extra on particulars.”
Teammate Remy Gardner was restricted by shoulder ache from his final-round crash, finishing 16 laps for ninth total (1’39.695) earlier than ending his check early to get better forward of subsequent month’s return to Jerez.
Remy Gardner – “Sadly, I couldn’t trip as a lot as we deliberate right now due to my shoulder. Nonetheless, we accomplished a couple of laps and determined to save lots of half a day for later, which may very well be helpful. I’m happy with what we managed to do, and now the main target is on the following check in a month’s time. I’ll take some relaxation to get better correctly and are available again in fine condition for the following outing.”
Stable Outings for BMW and Kawasaki
With BMW’s new 2026 riders Miguel Oliveira and Danilo Petrucci unavailable, Michael van der Mark returned to testing duties for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Workforce, posting the sixth-fastest time (1’39.492) because the workforce continued chassis and electronics work.
For Kawasaki, Garrett Gerloff accomplished 61 laps and completed eighth total (1’39.689). The American was reunited with former crew chief Les Pearson, and the pair used the session to check a variety of set-up adjustments on the ZX-10RR.
“We modified loads of issues and acquired some data for subsequent yr,” Gerloff mentioned. “We’ll take what we discovered right here and make some optimistic adjustments for the following check in January.”
Different Highlights
Bahattin Sofuoglu (Yamaha Motoxracing) impressed with the fourth-fastest time (1’39.433), forward of a powerful rookie displaying from teammate Mattia Rato (14th, 1’41.243).
Ryan Vickers made his debut as Honda HRC check rider, finishing preliminary laps on the CBR1000RR-R.
Testing continues at Jerez on November 26–27, the place groups will return for a second spherical of post-season analysis earlier than the winter testing ban begins.
WorldSBK 2026
Jerez Take a look at Occasions – October 21
- Nicolò Bulega – Aruba.it Ducati 1m38.027
- Xavi Vierge – Pata Maxus Yamaha 1m39.137
- Stefanio Manzi – GRT Yamaha 1m39.349
- Bahattin Sofuolgu – Motoxracing Yamaha 1m39.433
- Andrea Locatelli – Pata Maxus Yamaha 1m39.479
- Michael van der Mark – BMW 1m39.492
- Iker Lecuona – Aruba.it Ducati 1m39.520
- Garret Gerloff – Workforce Kawasaki 1m39.689
- Remy Gardner – GRT Yamaha 1m39.695
- Ryan Vickers – HRC 1m39.979
- Xavi Fores – BbKRT bimota 1m40.276
- Corentin Perolari – HRC Honda 1m41.158
- Mattia Rato – Motoxracing Yamaha 1m41.243
- Alan Techer – HRC 1m41.606
