There is plenty to smile about right now in the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team camp, and the progress being shown by Alex Lowes atop his KB998 Rimini paints a picture of many positive results in 2026 if he can keep his current trajectory. After missing Day 1 of the Jerez Test, the British rider seized the opportunity shown by a break in the stormy weather and laid down a 1’39.450s lap to take P2 on the session.

INCLEMENT WEATHER: “It was nice to get out, but it was a bit frustrating that we couldn’t get more work done”

While Lowes was pleased with the feeling atop his Bimota machinery, he and the rest of the field were frustrated by the poor weather at Jerez this week. Rainy conditions ruled out any dry running on Day 1, and Day 2 only offered a brief window when riders could put on slick tyres and test out items originally laid out for their dry-weather plans.

On his Day 2, including a small trip to the gravel on Turn 6, Lowes said: “Unfortunately, it’s been a lot of bad weather. In the afternoon, we finally got on track with the slick tyres in. After waiting around all week, it was mega to get back out there. I felt like a kid! I really enjoyed it, to be honest. It was nice to get out, but it was a bit frustrating that we couldn’t get more work done. We were just starting to try some new Showa front forks when, on Turn 6, I saw it start to rain. We got a few laps, a bit of a first feeling, but not really enough to decide if it's better or worse. Electronics are constantly evolving in WorldSBK. We were trying some things that felt quite good, and I picked up the feeling I had in November straight away."

DIALING IT IN: “My feeling has been really good with the new bike, but I’ve only tested it at this new track, so I need to try the new setup at a new track”

The Englishman has enjoyed a positive trajectory of form ever since embarking on this new project last season with Bimota, and with the early indications given on Day 2, he and his team can hope for that to continue into 2026. The upcoming Portimao test will be a big indicator of that, however, as the feeling of a bike can change radically from one track to another, so Lowes and the rest of his team will anxiously await Day 1 of testing there, starting on Wednesday, January 28^th.

Reflecting on how he feels with his setup, Lowes said: “It was nice to get out, but we hope for better weather in Portimao to confirm the components we want to use at Philip Island. If it’s good weather, we’ll try to do a lot more laps. We’ll work on my feelings with the bike; we've changed it a lot since we were last here, and since the test here in November. My feeling has been really good with the new bike, but I’ve only tested it at this new track, so I need to try the new setup at a new track, it would be fantastic if I could keep the same feeling but that’s not how it works, if it’s wet both days in Portimao, I’ll ride in the rain. In general, didn’t get too many laps in, but I’m really happy to be back to work with the team. Let’s see what happens next week.”

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