WSBK Jerez Post-Season Test 2025: A Dominant Ducati Start to the 2026 Campaign
The two-day World Superbike (WSBK) post-season test at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto on October 21st and 22nd, 2025, officially kicked off the preparations for the 2026 World Championship. The test featured a significant rider shuffle and provided the first glimpse into the new-season performance, dominated by factory Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega.
Key Highlights and Results (Day 1 – Dry Conditions)
The opening day, held in favourable dry conditions, saw a blistering performance from the 2025 runner-up, Nicolo Bulega.
| Rank | Rider | Team | Motorcycle | Best Time | Notes |
| 1 | Nicolo Bulega | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati | New 2026 Panigale V4 R | 1:38.027 | Dominant pace, well ahead of the field. |
| 2 | Xavi Vierge | Pata Yamaha | Yamaha R1 | 1:39.136 | Top Yamaha and immediate pace on debut. |
| 3 | Stefano Manzi | GYTR GRT Yamaha | Yamaha R1 | 1:39.349 | Impressive WorldSBK rookie debut from WorldSSP Champion. |
| 7 | Iker Lecuona | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati | New 2026 Panigale V4 R | 1:39.520 | First outing in Ducati colours. |
Ducati’s New Weapon
- Bulega‘s fastest lap on the all-new 2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R was over a second clear of the nearest competitor, signaling an aggressive start to the new year for the Italian factory squad.
- New factory signing Iker Lecuona made his highly anticipated Ducati debut after moving from Honda, quickly getting to grips with his new machine to finish in the top 7.
Yamaha’s New-Look Lineup
- Yamaha showcased their revamped rider roster, with four R1 bikes finishing in the top five positions (excluding Bulega).
- Xavi Vierge (Pata Yamaha) was instantly competitive, finishing as the fastest Yamaha rider in his debut for the factory team.
- WorldSSP title winner Stefano Manzi made an extraordinary transition to the premier class, setting the third-fastest time and completing a massive 95 laps—the most of any rider—demonstrating his commitment to learning the WorldSBK machine.
Day 2 Summary (Wet Conditions)
Rainfall on the second day limited meaningful dry running for the majority of the field. Many teams chose not to set fast laps or cut their programs short, focusing instead on wet weather setup and system checks.
- The fastest times set on Day 2 were significantly slower due to the rain, with the focus shifting from outright speed to essential pre-season testing data collection.
- Factory riders Bulega and Lecuona did not set a representative lap time on Day 2, having already banked valuable dry weather data.
The two-day test confirmed Ducati as the team to beat early in the 2026 campaign, while showcasing the quick adaptation of new Yamaha signings Vierge and Manzi, setting the stage for an exciting 2026 World Superbike season. The next scheduled winter test is expected in November.
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