With the Portimao and Jerez tests now behind them, the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field, including promising sophomore rider Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team), packs up in Portugal and prepares to set sail for Australia. Once there, they will have one final official test before it’s lights out on 2026 and racing action gets underway on Friday, February 20^th.

RIDING WITH CAUTION: “The plan was not to push, just trying out some new parts on the bike before Australia”

After his pacey start to 2026 at Jerez, between Portimao’s unproductive first day in which Montella wisely remained in the boxes, and limited running on Day 2 which the Italian and his Ducati Independent team focused on volume of laps over pace, It’s clear that the Barni – Ducati strategy at Portimao was to bide their time until they arrive to Australia where they can sink their teeth into their testing program.

On his takeaways post-Portimao, Montella said: "In the end, the plan was not to push, just trying out some new parts on the bike before Australia. In the end, we did a full day, with some hours this morning and some this afternoon. Now, we just need to fly to Australia! I learned that here in Portimao it's really difficult when it's wet, the wind and rain make the bike move a lot, not a lot of grip on the rear, I was riding just to finish in one piece while still checking everything.”

LOOKING TO MAKE HIS MARK: “I'm very excited to start this new season, I won't be a rookie, and I want to get started and show my potential”

Montella has turned heads so far this preseason after he ended Day 1 second-fastest in the Jerez Test and has continued to talk positively about his upcoming second season in WorldSBK. While testing so far has been limited to mostly running in wet or, at best, mixed conditions, the hopes of the grid to have a fully squared-away bike by the race weekend in Australia come down to the weather conditions that will be seen during the preceding week’s official test in Australia.

Looking ahead to his return to Phillip Island and the season debut, Montella said: “Australia's test will be interesting. I hope for better weather. If it is sunny, it will be interesting to push and find the limit on the bike, because we've only had 20 laps over four days here. I just need to adapt my riding style as fast as possible, then we will be ready for the season. I'm very excited to start this new season. I won't be a rookie, and I want to get started and show my potential. I want to improve from last season in every aspect"

Montella gets set for his sophomore season in WorldSBK. Lock in your spot to witness every moment, live or on demand, with the WorldSBK VideoPass!