WORLDSBK | Portimao Day 1 Test Times

Gerloff tops weather disrupted opening day

With the Australian round fast approaching as the opening event of the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, teams arrived at Portimão for the final European pre-season test before shipping equipment to Phillip Island. Once again, however, the weather played a decisive role, with rain and strong winds severely limiting track time throughout Day 1.

Overnight showers left the circuit damp at the start of the session, while gusts of wind continued to discourage early running. Honda HRC test rider Tetsuta Nagashima was the first on track, completing a brief exploratory stint, while Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team test rider Xavi Fores soon followed and became the most active rider of the morning. Fores logged multiple stints on two different KB998 Rimini machines, focusing on setup work rather than outright pace as most of the field remained in the garages.

Activity increased after midday as conditions marginally improved. Former WorldSBK rider Ryan Vickers, riding as a Honda HRC test rider, briefly moved to the top of the timesheets before Fores responded to reclaim P1. Lap times continued to tumble as a drying line emerged, setting the stage for Garrett Gerloff’s first appearance on the 2026 Kawasaki ZX-10RR Ninja.

Gerloff immediately underlined the potential of the updated Kawasaki package, climbing to the top of the order and ultimately setting the fastest lap of the day with a 1’46.262s. The time represented a significant step forward compared to earlier wet-condition benchmarks and marked a strong debut for the new ZX-10RR and its revised aero package.

Independent Ducati riders Alberto Surra and Lorenzo Baldassarri joined the session mid-afternoon, with Surra rapidly climbing into the top three, while Sam Lowes also returned to the track aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R as he continues preparations with the ELF Marc VDS Racing Team ahead of Australia.

Just as running began to build, light rain returned and once again pushed riders back into the pits. The session was extended by one hour in the hope of additional track time, though conditions remained marginal. Philipp Oettl logged the majority of the late laps for the WorldSSP field, while British Superbike Champion Tommy Bridewell also completed a short run on a Ducati.

Day 2 will provide teams with a final opportunity to gather limited European data before the focus shifts to Phillip Island, where the 2026 WorldSBK season will officially get underway.

2026 WorldSBK Portimao Test Day 1