WorldSBK: As winter testing continues to shape early 2026 preparations, teams and riders concluded two productive days of running at Jerez.
Attention now turns to the next winter testing, with the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto hosting another test on 21-22 January 2026, followed by two further days at Autodromo Internacional do Algarve on 28-29 January 2026.
Key Points from Day 2
- Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) topped the timesheets with a 1’37.824, a lap comparable to his race pace from the 2025 Spanish Round.
- Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) continued to shine in blue, securing second place only 0.234 seconds behind Lowes as he continues adapting to the Yamaha R1.
- Michael van der Mark (BMW) finished third with a 1’38.125 after completing 72 laps.
- Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) evaluated a revised swingarm and a second test bike, closing out the day in fourth place.
- Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) both worked through a structured testing plan with new technical staff, finishing fifth and eighth respectively.
- Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) completed his first test day with new crew chief Uri Pallares, finishing sixth as the team experimented with new parts and settings.
- Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) completed a productive day, placing seventh and continuing his adaptation to the Yamaha R1.
- Honda HRC focused on familiarisation work for Somkiat Chantra and Jake Dixon, who collectively completed more than 120 laps; Dixon experienced two harmless off-track excursions at Turn 2 and Turn 5.
- In WorldSSP, Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) set the pace with a 1’42.167.
Strong afternoon track evolution allowed Alex Lowes to post a 1’37.824 on his 45th lap, securing the fastest time of the test for bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team.
A highly encouraging day for Xavi Vierge, who continued his rapid progress with Pata Maxus Yamaha, finishing only 0.234s off Lowes.
A comprehensive testing plan saw Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) evaluate a revised swingarm and work with two test bikes. He concluded Day 2 in fourth, just 0.311s from the benchmark.
The BMW pairing of Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira worked through a structured programme alongside updated technical staff including crew chief Andrew Pitt. Petrucci finished fifth, while Oliveira recorded 73 laps to end the day in eighth.
A positive first collaboration between Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) and new crew chief Uri Pallares, who recently arrived from Yamaha. Bassani climbed to sixth place, showing strong progress.
Honda HRC focused on building a solid base with Somkiat Chantra and Jake Dixon finishing in tenth and 12th position.
A strong run from Jeremy Alcoba placed the Kawasaki WorldSSP Team rider at the top of the WorldSSP classification with a 1’42.167.
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