TEST REPORT: WorldSPB’s first-ever official test sees Artigas atop the timesheets and 3 manufacturers in the top four
WorldSPB’s first day on track was quite the sight to behold as the nascent category’s riders stretched their legs on the circuit for the first time
TEST REPORT: WorldSPB’s first-ever official test sees Artigas atop the timesheets and 3 manufacturers in the top four
WorldSPB’s first day on track was quite the sight to behold as the nascent category’s riders stretched their legs on the circuit for the first time
Kicking off the week of buildup prior to the FIM Sportbike World Championship’s inaugural round, the category’s riders took to the track for their Official Test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. Of the 34 participating riders on bikes from seven different manufacturers, Xavi Artigas (MTM Kawasaki) was the fastest in the test. He started his season strong ahead of Friday, March 27th, and the first day of the Championship in earnest.
Xavi Artigas languished down the order for most of the day before a furious FP7 stint where he became one of two riders to break the 1’48s mark. His 1’48.894s lap set the fastest time of the day to earn him bragging rights atop the test’s timesheet. Ferre Fleerackers (Track & Trades Wixx Racing) flexed the Suzuki GSX-8R’s prowess to the rest of the field as the Japanese manufacturer is back on the grid after last being seen in the paddock in 2023. Fleerackers put his name and his manufacturer in the spotlight as he took P2 on the day with a 1’48.961s time. Joining his new teammate at MTM Kawasaki, Loris Veneman rounded out the top three on the day with his 1’49.198s effort.
Spanish wild card rider Diego Poncet (Rac41-Honda) had a breakout day at the Portimao test, the #36 led for most of the afternoon on the timesheets before finishing in P4 with a personal best of 1’49.199s. 2025 runner-up in the WorldSSP300 category, David Salvador (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI) showed his speed hasn’t gone anywhere as his 1’49.208s lap sent him to P5. Speaking of WorldSSP300 riders who looked quick at the test, Matteo Vannucci (Revo-M2) set a 1’49.365s time for P6 as the he impressed on new Aprilia machinery.
Kas Beekmans (VLR Racing Team Suzuki) took P7 as the middle machine of Suzuki’s three placements in the top 10. The Dutch rider’s time of 1’49.438s saw him outpace newcomer to the WorldSBK paddock Alvaro Fuertes (Deza-Box 77 Racing Team) by a mere 0.062s to send the Spaniard to P8. Juan Risueno (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) tied with 93 for the most laps completed of all riders. His fastest was a 1’49.625s, which earned him P9. Capping off the top ten, Jeffrey Buis (Track & Trades Wixx Racing) looks to be settling in in the paddock once again ahead of 2026’s season opener, a threatening sign for other riders as the two-time WorldSSP300 Champion took P10 with a 1’49.665s time.
Benat Fernandez (Kove Racing Team 109) and Carter Thompson (Team BrCorse) appear to need more time to get their bikes up to speed with the new category to get back to performing at their high level, as the 2025 WorldSSP300 Champion and third-place finisher finished the day back in P21 and P27, respectively.
The top six from the Official WorldSPB Test at Portimao: Full results HERE:
1 Xavi Artigas (MTM Kawasaki) 1’48.894s – 69 Laps
2. Ferre Fleerackers (Track & Trades Wixx Racing) +0.067s – 74 Laps
3. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.304s – 75 Laps
4. Diego Poncet (Rac41-Honda) +0.305s – 51 Laps
5. David Salvador (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI) +0.314s – 91 Laps
6. Matteo Vannucci (Revo-M2) +0.471s – 77 Laps
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