Barely two days after the end of the 2025 season, the first day of pre-season testing for the MOTUL FIM World Championship Superbike 2026 took place at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, and after fighting like hell all year against Toprak Razgatlioglu and his BMW, Nicholas Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) must have felt very alone on the track during this preparation for the next championship…
Although I only rode in the afternoon due to less than optimal conditions in the morning due to a few drops of rain, The Italian dominated this first day, by signing the best time on the handlebars of a completely reworked Panigale V4 R 2026 (and now equipped with Downwash Ducts like in MotoGP) in 1'38.027 with around forty minutes left in the session. A performance better than his own times set in the two races of the 2025 Spanish round, but a far cry from the 1'36.629 he achieved in Superpole.
At Yamaha, Xavi Virgo (Pata Maxus Yamaha) shone on his debut among the three tuning forks, finishing 2e en 1'39.137 after 39 laps, becoming the best representative of the brand, but above all it is the rookie Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) who impressed in his first appearance as a permanent WorldSBK rider, setting a time of 1'39.349 au 87th lap, le 3th time of the day!
With 95 laps completed, he was also the most diligent driver of the day.
Yamaha also completed the Top 5 with Bahattin Sofuoglu (Yamaha Motoxracing) who finished 4e en 1'39.433 as he begins his second season in WorldSBK, and Andrea Locatelli who signed the 5th time en 1'39.479.
On the BMW side, Michael van der Mark, who became a test driver, represented the Bavarian brand with little luster while waiting for the arrival of its new owners, concluding the day 6e en 1'39.492.
Among the Reds, this Wednesday in black, Iker Lecuona, who was taking his first turns on the Ducati, cautiously took the 7th place en 1'39.520 riding only in the afternoon, like his fast teammate.
Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) totaled 61 rounds, realizing the 8th time en 1'39.689, thus beginning his preparation for his second season with Kawasaki.
Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), still recovering from his fall in the last round, achieved the 9th time in just 16 laps, and Ryan Vickers (Honda HRC) completed the Top 10.
Note the presence of two French pilots, Corentin Perolari et Alan Techer, who were also temporarily officiating for Honda HRC while waiting for the arrival of the official riders.
En WorldSSP, Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) distinguished himself with the best time in the category, ahead of Simon Jespersen (EAB Racing Team).
👉 The next day of testing is today in Jerez, with cooler but dry conditions forecast, promising plenty of action on the track.
Superbike Test Jerez Bulega Superbike Test Jerez Bulega
