The second round of World Superbike (WorldSBK) pre-season testing brings the final opportunity for riders and teams to adjust their machines before the official start of the season in Australia. After two days of testing in Jerez, Spain, on January 22nd and 23rd, teams move 218 km west to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal. With two days of testing scheduled and eight hours of track action per day, Portimão will be crucial for fine-tuning details before the first round at Phillip Island, less than a month away.
BMW: Razgatlioglu may start the season in Portimão
One of the big pre-season stories was the finger injury suffered by Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team). The current champion fractured his right index finger bone while training in the pre-season. Although he attended BMW’s launch in Berlin, the team hopes Toprak can return for at least one of the testing days in Portimão, avoiding starting the season with his first contact with the bike only during race week in Australia. Meanwhile, teammate Michael van der Mark has been the only one testing the new BMW M 1000 RR. Van der Mark stood out on the first day in Jerez, but a crash at turn 8 limited track time.
Yamaha: Adjustments and improvements on the way
After good results on the second wet testing day in Jerez, Yamaha Pata Maxus aims to improve the R1’s performance for 2025. The team hopes to test new components in Portimão. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was the fastest Yamaha rider on track in dry testing, while Dominique Aegerter had his testing time reduced due to technical issues. Among rookies, Bahattin Sofuoglu achieved a solid 16th place, while Tito Rabat completed an impressive 99 laps on the first day.
Ducati: Strong pace and new developments
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was the fastest on the first day of testing in Jerez, with a lap of 1’38.731s. Alvaro Bautista, in turn, seeks to continue adapting to the redesigned Panigale V4 R and test a new exhaust system in Portimão. Danilo Petrucci, from Barni Spark Racing Team, showed consistency, while new teammate Yari Montella stood out on the second rainy day. Ducati thus presents several promising fronts for the season.
Honda: Lecuona and Zaidi at the starting line?
Honda HRC is betting on improvements to the CBR1000RR-R, especially with the testing of Öhlins suspensions. Xavi Vierge showed progress in Jerez, while the return of Iker Lecuona, absent due to injury, could mark the tests in Portimão. On the independent side, rookie Zaqhwan Zaidi hopes to make his debut, and Tarran Mackenzie will try to continue the development started in Jerez.
Bimota: Bassani leads the new machine
Axel Bassani impressed at the helm of the new Bimota KB998, finishing in the top 5 in Jerez. The rider believes there is still room for evolution, especially in tuning the bike’s rear. Alex Lowes, who also joins the Bimota team, hopes to solidify his competitive pace in Portimão, after a good season last year with Kawasaki.
Kawasaki: Gerloff shows potential
American rider Garrett Gerloff finished the first day of testing in Jerez with a time of 1’39.332s, using the SCQ tire. Kawasaki tested new components, including Brembo suspensions and brakes, with more developments expected in Portimão.
WorldSSP in Portimão: Adaptation and progress
In the World Supersport Championship, Phillip Oettl and Michael Ruben Rinaldi continue adapting to their new machines. Oettl, now with the Ducati Panigale V2, showed growing confidence, while Rinaldi, at the helm of a Yamaha R9, prepares for the transition from WorldSBK.
With the latest adjustments and technological innovations at stake, Portimão will be the ideal setting for defining strategies and consolidating competitive pace before the season starts in Australia. The countdown to 2025 is officially underway!