WorldSBK Testing will get underway in Jerez – Day One Recap

WorldSBK 2026

January Jerez Check – Day One
January 21, 2026

The 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season formally started this week on the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, with WorldSBK and WorldSSP riders returning to the observe for the primary personal take a look at of the yr.

Persistent rain all through the day considerably restricted working, limiting significant comparisons however permitting groups to hold out baseline checks on new equipment, rider line-ups and technical packages forward of the Australian season opener at Phillip Island subsequent month.

Regardless of the circumstances, Danilo Petrucci emerged quickest on the timesheets aboard the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Group M 1000 RR, posting a greatest lap of 1’52.976 throughout a short dry window. The Italian was adopted by Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Group Ducati) and BMW teammate Miguel Oliveira, who accomplished essentially the most laps of any full-time rider as he continues to adapt to his new equipment.

BMW leads early working in moist circumstances

Petrucci’s headline time got here throughout his second stint of the day and remained unbeaten as rain returned.

BMW teammate Oliveira logged 31 laps, specializing in familiarisation quite than outright tempo, and completed third general with a better of 1’54.260.

BMW take a look at rider Michael van der Mark additionally appeared late within the session, finishing restricted mileage.

Ducati work begins for brand new combos

Whereas Ducati was effectively represented on observe, 2025 championship runner-up Nicolo Bulega elected to not trip within the moist circumstances. That left Iker Lecuona as the only real Aruba.it Racing Ducati rider, finishing 14 laps and ending fifth.

At Barni Spark Racing, Yari Montella topped the Ducati runners in second place general as he continues preparations for his sophomore WorldSBK season.

Álvaro Bautista, making his first public look in Barni Ducati colors, targeted on preliminary set-up analysis and completed eighth after 18 laps.

Additional down the order, Alberto Surra continued his WorldSBK rookie preparations with Motocorsa Racing, whereas WorldSSP common Philipp Oettl rode as a take a look at rider for Aruba.it Racing Ducati.

Yamaha collects knowledge quite than chasing lap occasions

Yamaha’s strongest displaying got here from Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha), who positioned fourth general and logged the second-highest lap rely of the day.

Manufacturing facility rider Andrea Locatelli completed seventh, narrowly lacking sixth, whereas Xavi Vierge, newly arrived from Honda, continued his adaptation with a Twelfth-place end.

Pata Maxus Yamaha’s programme remained targeted on early knowledge assortment quite than efficiency chasing as circumstances deteriorated later within the session.

Remy Gardner is sidelined from this take a look at by damage.

bimota and Kawasaki proceed improvement work

The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Group continued its regular improvement programme, with take a look at rider Xavi Fores recording the workforce’s quickest lap to complete sixth general.

Axel Bassani logged strong mileage in thirteenth place as he continues working with a brand new crew chief, whereas Alex Lowes didn’t take part.

At Kawasaki WorldSBK Group, Garrett Gerloff accomplished 26 laps aboard the ZX-10RR Ninja, concentrating on familiarity together with his 2026 bundle and after being reunited with crew chief Les Pearson. The Texan completed 14th general.

Honda focuses on mileage amid damage absences

Honda HRC fielded Jake Dixon as its sole full-time rider, with Somkiat Chantra sidelined after a coaching damage. Dixon accomplished 16 laps and positioned ninth general.

HRC Check rider Tetsuta Nagashima undertook in depth wet-weather working, logging 27 laps throughout the day.

Alcoba tops WorldSSP runners at dwelling take a look at

In WorldSSP, Jeremy Alcoba led the way in which on dwelling soil, ending quickest of the Supersport riders and setting a time that positioned him forward of a number of WorldSBK rivals.

Dominique Aegerter adopted among the many WorldSSP ranks, whereas Matteo Ferrari, Philipp Oettl and Borja Jimenez targeted on adaptation and mileage quite than outright tempo.

Testing Continues

With climate limiting consultant lap occasions, Day 1 at Jerez served primarily as a techniques examine quite than a type information. Groups will likely be hoping for higher climate on Thursday earlier than the paddock then packs up and heads to Portimao for an additional two-day take a look at subsequent week.

WorldSBK Jerez Check Instances
Day One – Jan 21, 2026

Pos	Class	Piloto	Bike	Time	Hole	Velocity
1	SBK	D. Petrucci	BMW	1m52.976		257.1
2	SBK	Y. Montella	Duc	1m54.194	+1.218	261.5
3	SBK	M. Oliveira	BMW	1m54.260	+1.284	259.6
4	SBK	S. Manzi	Yam	1m55.044	+2.068	252.9
5	SBK	I. Lecuona	Duc	1m55.605	+2.629	260.9
6	SBK	X. Forés	Bim	1m55.917	+2.941	251.7
7	SBK	A. Locatelli	Yam	1m55.935	+2.959	255.3
8	SBK	Á. Bautista	Duc	1m56.770	+3.794	260.9
9	SBK	J. Dixon	Hon	1m57.109	+4.133	252.9
10	SSP	J. Alcoba	Kaw	1m57.205	+4.229	228.8
11	SBK	HRC Check Rider	Hon	1m57.672	+4.696	255.3
12	SBK	X. Vierge	Yam	1m57.784	+4.808	255.3
13	SBK	A. Bassani	Bim	1m57.830	+4.854	254.7
14	SBK	G. Gerloff	Kaw	1m57.916	+4.940	259.0
15	SBK	A. Surra	Duc	1m58.634	+5.658	252.9
16	SBK	Aruba Check Rider	Duc	1m58.887	+5.911	262.8
17	SSP	L. Lehmann	Yam	1m59.575	+6.599	216.4
18	SSP	D. Aegerter	Kaw	1m59.986	+7.010	229.8
19	EWC	Foray-Checa-Schrotter	Duc	2m00.330	+7.354	250.0
20	SBK	M. vd Mark	BMW	2m01.143	+8.167	249.4
21	SBK	T. Smits	Yam	2m02.135	+9.159	248.3
22	SSP	M. Ferrari	Duc	2m04.119	+11.143	220.9
23	SSP	P. Öttl	Duc	2m04.770	+11.794	224.5
24	SSP	D. Geiger	Yam	2m10.389	+17.413	208.5
25	SSP	B. Jiménez	Duc	2m12.354	+19.378	224.5

2026 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship calendar

2026 World Superbike Championship Entry Checklist