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Track action for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship gets back underway after a time of rest and recovery, but also with training mixed in. Almost the entire WorldSBK field for 2026 is heading down to the historic Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto, Andalucia for a two-day test on Tuesday and Wednesday, with track action on both days taking place from 10:00 Local Time (UTC+1) to 18:00.

FIRST LOOK AT BAUTISTA WITH BARNI DUCATI: The Spaniard with his new team for the first time

One key aspect of this test is a first look at some of the changes to the 2026 grid. While some were seen previously in 2025, Jerez will give us a first glimpse of Alvaro Bautista with the Barni Spark Racing Team for the first time as he adjusts to life in an Independent team. He’ll be joined by teammate Yari Montella, who heads into his second WorldSBK campaign. Of course, both will have the new Panigale V4 R to test and get to grips with too, adding more intrigue to the test – with more Ducatis than just Bautista on track too.

DEBUT FOR SURRA: Italian rookie gets his first taste of WorldSBK action as Independent riders try new Ducati

Alberto Surra will be on track at Jerez too with Motocorsa Racing, giving the Italian a first glimpse as a WorldSBK rider. Of course, he’s no stranger to the WorldSBK paddock, having put in some sensational stand-in riders in WorldSSP in 2025, including a podium at Magny-Cours. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) returns to the track to kick off his 2026 campaign, as does Tarran Mackenzie (MGM BONOVO Action), with the Brit getting a testing programme for the team he moved to halfway through the 2025 campaign. Lorenzo Baldassarri’s return to WorldSBK kicks off at Jerez as he jumps on the Panigale V4 R for Team GoEleven, while the factory pairing of Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) and new recruit Iker Lecuona will also be putting in the laps at Jerez.

NEW LINE-UPS CONTINUE TO ADAPT: Rea set for first Honda HRC appearance

While the world got its first look at ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team’s new line-up of Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira last year, the pair will continue their testing programme at Jerez this week. At Honda HRC, only Jake Dixon will be the race rider on track following Somkiat Chantra's injury and subsequent surgery. However, there will be no shortage of CBR1000RR-R machines on track, as Tetsuta Nagashima is joined by Honda’s new test rider, Jonathan Rea; it’ll be the six-time Champion’s first time on WorldSBK machinery since his full-time career came to an end at Jerez last year. At Yamaha, incumbents Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) will test, joined by respective new teammates Xavi Vierge and Stefano Manzi.

SAME BUT DIFFERENT: Smaller changes at Bimota and Kawasaki

While both the bimota by Kawasaki Racing and Kawasaki WorldSBK Team have kept their line-ups the same, featuring Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani at the former and Garrett Gerloff at the latter, there are some changes within the teams. Bassani will work with his new crew chief, Uri Pallares, after their working relationship started in the November test. Bimota will also field test rider Xavi Fores. For Gerloff, he’ll have the revised Kawasaki ZX-10RR at his disposal while also giving Les Pearson, returning as the Texan’s crew chief at his third manufacturer after Yamaha and BMW, a chance to continue acclimatising to the Kawasaki machine.

WORLD SUPERSPORT IN ACTION: A handful of riders at Jerez

A few WorldSSP riders will also be testing at Jerez. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) is back on the Ducati Panigale V2 machine, while Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) and teammate Dominique Aegerter continue their testing programme as the Swiss rider looks to re-adjust to WorldSSP machinery. Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) will also test following his move from MotoE to WorldSSP.

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