Garrett Gerloff and his Kawasaki WorldSBK Team found both damp and fully wet track conditions during a test session at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve circuit, as they used their latest on-track opportunities to make further progress with the 2026-spec Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR. With track conditions proving to be least favourable on day two, Gerloff’s day one best time proved to be the fastest lap of the whole test.
Wednesday 28 January offered up a short period of dry ambient conditions at the 4.592km-long Portimao circuit, but on a still-damp track Gerloff was the first of the WorldSBK riders to use slick tyres. He ended the first day with the best lap time as a result, setting a 1’46.262.
On day two at Portimao, Thursday 29 January, track conditions started out wet and would remain that way all day. Gerloff did not ride on day two, ending the test early – as did many of the WorldSBK and WorldSSP teams who were taking part in the final European-based pre-season tests.
Kawasaki WorldSSP Team riders Jeremy Alcoba and Dominique Aegerter were once again faced with far from ideal weather conditions as they took their Ninja ZX-6R 636 to Iberia for a final pre-season test session, between 26-27 January.
The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve test was the second one to be adversely affected by wet weather in as many weeks, as the previous Jerez tests in Spain had also been unavoidably weather-affected for the Kawasaki WorldSSP Team.
After finding either a wet or occasionally damp track surface on the first day in Portugal, those conditions carried on into the second day.
With only some of their planned on-track work completed, due to circumstances beyond their control, the Kawasaki WorldSSP Team now heads to Australia for the official pre-season tests and then the first round of the season, at the Phillip Island Grand Prix track.
The 2026 FIM Superbike World Championship season begins at Phillip Island in Australia, between 20-22 February, after the now traditional official test sessions, which are set to be held between 16-17 February.
Manuel Puccetti – Team Principal
“I’m disappointed with the outcome of this Portimao test, which took place in the rain, just like the last test at Jerez. We nevertheless did what we could with these four days, collecting data that we can use once we get to Australia. The two Supersport riders worked on the electronics, with Aegerter also working to build confidence with what is a new bike, while Gerloff was able to test the Ninja ZX-10RR’s new aerodynamics, but everything else will have to wait until the Phillip Island test.”
Garrett Gerloff
“The Portimao test has been tough, and we weren’t able to ride on a fully dry track at all. On the first day, I completed about 20 laps on a damp track. I went out on slicks too, though I had to be very careful not to make any mistakes and risk crashing. But I wanted to do that in order to give the team some data, as they’ve all worked so hard over the winter on the Ninja ZX-10RR. It was important to test the new aerodynamics – this is the ideal track for that, with its long straight. I could see a definite improvement even though I wasn’t really pushing, but the development work will only really start in Australia, during the last two-day test.”
Jeremy Alcoba
“Portimao was another wet test. In the end, the only laps we got on a not completely dry track were at Jerez. But we’ve worked on the electronics. And I’m pleased to have found really good feeling with the bike in the wet. The track was very slippery and so I didn’t want to risk, but I quickly felt comfortable. The Ninja ZX-6R 636 is better than last season’s bike, but I’ll only really be able to appreciate the improvements in the dry. We have a good base on which to build though, thanks to the team’s hard work over the winter. I hope the weather’s better in Australia, so that we can make the most of the two-day test we have right before the opening round.”
Dominque Aegerter
“Unfortunately, the weather didn’t behave here at Portimao either. Every time the track started to dry, it would come on to rain again. We made about 30 laps on day one to test the electronics and collect some initial data. We did less on day two and didn’t use slicks at all. I’m pleased to have had the chance to work with my team but on the other hand, we head home having been unable to ride in the dry. So, I’ll go to Australia without really knowing my bike, but I’m confident I’ll be able to get there during those final pre-race tests. I want to thank the team because they’ve done a great job and have listened to everything I asked for after the November test.”
