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The field returns to Europe after the explosive MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season opener at Phillip Island. Prior to their Pirelli Portuguese Round action March 27^th-29^th, the field will take advantage of a pair of private testing days after what has been one of the most limited preseasons in recent memory due to unfortunate rainy conditions. Some teams look to cement their successes from last round; others look to revisit problem areas of their bikes to get their season started in earnest. The test will run from March 9^th-10^th, with action on track taking place nonstop from 10:00-17:00 (Local time UTC +0). Get an idea of what you can come to expect from the Portimao Test down below.

DRAMATIC DEBUT: The 2026 Panigale V4 R impressed down under

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) was up to his usual tricks at Phillip Island to start the WorldSBK season as he kicked off his campaign with a hat trick Down Under. Ducati bikes have tended to enjoy success there, especially in recent years, as the field arrives at Portimao for a pair of testing days. The question shifts: can Bulega keep up his dominant pace in Europe? Across from him in the box, Iker Lecuona will look to take full advantage of two more days with his brand-new bike, both to him and to the rest of the field, as Ducati unveiled a new Panigale V4 R this offseason. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) in a wet Race 2 suffered a crash on the exit of the high-speed Turn 3 on the 6^th Lap. The crash saw him later diagnosed with a fracture to his left wrist, as well as contusions to his right hand and left ankle. Fortunately for him, no surgery is required, and he hopes to partake in the test, while he admits it will be “A big ask”. Barni Spark Racing Team have plenty to smile about as they arrive to Algarve, with both of their riders looking to have quickly come to understand the 2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R, each taking a podium. Yari Montella and Alvaro Bautista's challenge now is to convert their speed at the Ducati-friendly Phillip Island to the much more even-keeled circuit at Portimao. The grid’s latest addition, Tommy Bridewell with the Superbike Advocates Team will partake in the test, as they will hope to set a strong base setting with their Ducati V4 R at the Portuguese venue ahead of their inaugural round.

BREAKTHROUGH FOR BIMOTA: The pair of factory riders will each keep the hammer down in testing

Bimota’s adventure down under saw their reborn racing project ascend to new heights as Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) and his teammate Alex Lowes took home three podiums from Oz. The pair even shared the podium from P2 and P3 in the Tissot Superpole Race, the first time Bimota has enjoyed a double podium since 1988. At Portimao, the #47 will look to confirm the pace he had at Phillip Island’s unique layout, and Alex Lowes will look to get back on even footing with the much-improved #47.

LOOKING FOR MORE: After setting a base within the top 10, BMW looks to fine tune their platform

Leaving Phillip Island, Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and his teammate Danilo Petrucci have many positives to take away from Oz, Now, however, a test in Oliveira’s home country will give him and ‘Petrux’ another chance to familiarise themselves with their M1000RR. Both riders stated after Australia that they felt much more comfortable on the bike than they had before, but after skipping out on what turned out to be a wet and unproductive test here back in January, this will be a great chance to build more continuity with their bike.

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD: Yamaha look to collect more data at Portimao after sluggish start Down Under

Despite not taking any points away from the round, newcomer to the team Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was the brightest light among the Yamaha riders, but crashes in each of the full-length races, and a tech issue prevented him from landing positive results. At Portimao, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) will look to find a direction after a tough Australian Round. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and teammate Stefano Manzi each scored points in Australia, a positive sign as Manzi rode in his first round as a WorldSBK rider, and as Gardner continues to recover from a broken arm and dislocated shoulder sustained in the offseason.

BACK IN ACTION: After a preseason training injury, Chantra returns to test alongside WorldSBK legend Rea

With plenty of hype surrounding Honda HRC’s talented new rider pair, the Japanese factory team were dealt an anticlimactic hand in what was set to be their rider pair’s WorldSBK debut. Prior to the round, Somkiat Chantra (Honda HRC) had a training accident and required surgery on his forearms, and in testing prior to the weekend, Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) fell on Turn 11, fracturing bones in his left wrist and hand. At the Portimao Test, however, Chantra is back in action and hopes to make progress with his new bike. Riding with him as well will be six-time WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea who will ride at the test with the manufacturer he started his WorldSBK career with.

Don’t miss a moment of the upcoming Pirelli Portuguese Round, March 27^th-29^th! Watch Live and OnDemand with the WorldSBK VideoPass!