WorldSSP: Race One Results From Phillip Island

Mathilde Gasnier

-

February 20, 2026

WorldSSP: Race One Results From Phillip Island

Jaume Masia won FIM Supersport World Championship Race One Saturday at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, in Australia. Riding his Orelac Racing Verdnatura Ducati Panigale V2 on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard won the 18-lap race by 5.521 seconds.

Philip Oettl was the runner-up on his Feel Racing Ducati Panigale V2, 1.745 seconds ahead of third-place finisher Oli Bayliss who rode his PTR Triumph Factory Racing Street Triple 765 RS.

Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise crashed his ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bross 820RR and finished the race 25th.

Jaume leads the championship with 25 points, 5 ahead of Philip Oettl who has 20 points. Oli Bayliss is third with 16 points.

wssp race1

ChampionshipStandings wssp

More from a press release issued by Dorna:

CLASSIC SEASON OPENER: Masia claims victory as Bayliss secures dream home podium at Phillip Island.

With his rostrum result, Bayliss becomes Australia’s youngest-ever WorldSSP podium finisher.

Lights are out at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on the 2026 FIM Supersport World Championship campaign as the field sunk their teeth into the new season in Saturday’s Race 1! The first race of 2026’s 12 rounds featured Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) taking the first 25 points on offer for his third career WorldSSP win. Joining him on the campaign’s first podium was German rider Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) for his 14^th podium in the category and home hero Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) who claimed his first WorldSSP rostrum.

MASIA FLIES OUT OF THE GATE IN 2026: He closed 2025 with a win, and now opens 2026 doing the same

Oncu flew up from P4 to take the holeshot ahead of Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) and Jaume Masia. The Spaniard flexed his Ducati Panigale V2’s straight line speed as he took P1 from the #61 and built up a healthy gap of nearly a second by the outset of Lap 3. The Spaniard converted his dominant pace in testing to land the first race win of the season, as from there he pulled away for the win; finishing the contest with a gap of over five seconds. Oettl missed the 2025 Australian Round with a knee injury, but this season, he started strong with a rostrum finish in second place. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) saw his race end on Turn 4 in the second corner as the bike slid out from under him as he battled with Oettl for the second spot on the podium.

Jaume Masia won the WSSP Race 1 at Phillip Island. Photo courtesy Dorna

FIVE-WAY FIGHT FOR THE PODIUM: Bayliss, Arena, Oncu, Mahias, and Debise trade blows

Oncu had a healthy gap of around a second behind him on Lap 8 as he rode in P3; until a mistake on that Lap saw Oli Bayliss, Valentin, Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team), and Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) close the gap and start a fight for the final podium spot. Debise had a tough break as he fell out of the fight on Lap 8 after he entered Turn 4 with a fraction too much lean angle and crashed out of Race 1. Bayliss took the lead of the group, until he lost the lead by running wide onto the grass on Turn 6 of Lap 13, just before Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) crashed out of the race on Turn 4. The Australian recovered well to hang with the other two riders, and after the trio traded overtakes throughout the final eight laps, it was Bayliss who came out on top, earning his first WorldSSP podium of his career. The bronze-medal effort got the monkey off of his back after the longest-ever wait for a WorldSSP podium of 84 races, and claimed Australia’s first rostrum result since Anthony West back in 2017.

ARENAS HITS THE GROUND RUNNING: The Spanish rider starts his WorldSSP story in P4

Behind them, Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) rode well in his WorldSSP debut, finishing P4 with the feather in his cap of winning the final laps shootout with the title favourite Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing). Despite his incredible jump off the line, the Turk’s early mistake proved critical, erasing his gap and miring him in a wrestling match through which he fell to P5. Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) ran a clean race, taking advantage of other riders’ errors to land a strong debut result of sixth place.

VOSTATEK TIES CAREER HIGH: The Czech rider maintained his strong speed from testing

Ondrej Vostatek (Compos Racing Team) tied his career-best result of P7 in the season-opening race, emerging just +0.158 faster than 2025 MotoE Champion Alessandro Zaccone (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team), who took P9. Spanish riders Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha) and Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) landed in the final two positions of the top ten. Alcoba’s effort landed him as the top Kawasaki, as his two-time WorldSSP Champion teammate suffered a tech issue on the last lap and finished in P23.

The top ten of the season-opening WorldSSP Race 1 at Australia: Full results here!

1. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura)

2. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +5.521s

3. Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +7.266s

4. Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) +7.721s

5. Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +7.743s

6. Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) +11.856s

Fastest lap: Jaume Masia, Ducati – 1’32.310s

Catch the final race of the season-opening Australian Round on Sunday LIVE with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

WorldSBK: Bulega Takes Pole Position In Australia

Mathilde Gasnier

-

February 20, 2026

0

WorldSBK: Bulega Takes Pole Position In Australia

Nicolo Bulega took pole position during World Superbike Superpole qualifying Saturday at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, in Australia. Riding his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4R on spec Pirelli tires, Bulega covered the 2.76-mile (4.45 km) track in 1:28.244 to lead the 21-rider field.

Yari Montella qualified second with a 1:28.663 on his Barni Spark Ducati Panigale V4R.

Sam Lowes did a 1:28.729 on his ELF Marc VDS Racing Ducati Panigale V4R to earn the third and final spot on the front row.

Row two starters include Bimota by Kawasaki’s Alex Lowes (1:28.943), and Axel Bassani (1:28.972), and ROKiT BMW’s Danilo Petrucci (1:29.049).

American Garrett Gerloff qualified 8th with a 1:29.237 on his Kawasaki ZX-10RR.

superpole wsbk

More from a press release issued by Dorna:

Bulega became the first rider since Troy Bayliss to take three consecutive poles at Phillip Island, while Montella claimed his first front row start in WorldSBK.

It was a historic Tissot Superpole session for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed pole position, giving Ducati their 200^th in the Championship. The #11 was 0.419s clear of his rivals, the biggest pole margin at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit since Troy Bayliss beat Troy Corser by 0.518s in 2008, as he led a Ducati front-row lockout. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) will go from the front row for the first time in WorldSBK, with Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) joining them on the front row during the Australian Round.

THE FIRST RUN: Bulega lays down a gauntlet, Oliveira crashes

Bulega was the early pacesetter with a 1’28.610s to lock in a provisional pole position, with Montella and Sam Lowes completing an early top three. There was disruption to the early running of the 15-minute session when Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) crashed at Turn 2, with the #88 falling on his first flying lap. He was able to remount his bike and return it to the pits for repairs. However, Oliveira was unable to return to the track once he returned to the pits and he failed to set a lap time.

BULEGA MATCHES BAYLISS: Third consecutive Phillip Island pole for the #11, Montella on the front row

Despite having a 0.266s advantage over Montella heading into the second runs, Bulega found another couple of tenths to set a 1’29.392s to cement his grip on pole position, with the #11 one of the first to head out and start their second runs. On the second lap of his second run, he improved once again to a 1’28.244s. He secured his third consecutive pole on ‘The Island’, the first rider to do so since Troy Bayliss between 2006 and 2008. Montella has always been strong at Phillip Island and continued that with second, 0.419s behind Bulega, as he claimed his first front row start in WorldSBK. The front row will be completed by Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), with the #14 exchanging positions with Montella in the latter stages, as he posted a 1’28.729s.

BIMOTAS QUICK, PETRUCCI FINDS GAINS: On the second row

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) will be just one place behind his twin brother as he finished fourth after posting a 1’28.943s, 0.699s off the pole-setting time. Both Bimotas will line up alongside each other with Axel Bassani in fifth, 0.029s behind the #22. Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) had been a bit off the pace as he adapted to the BMW M 1000 RR machine, but he pulled out a 1’29.049s to claim a second-row start with P6.

BALDASARRI CONTINUES TO IMPRESS: P7 after shadowing Bulega

Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) secured his first top-ten Superpole result in WorldSBK with seventh place. His 1’29.191s lap time came when he followed Bulega in the latter stages of the session. Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) will go from eighth place with the #31 the last rider within a second of Bulega. Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was the lead Yamaha rider in ninth as rookie Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) rounded out the top ten.

WORK TO DO: Bautista in P12, Lecuona P13, Locatelli P15

There are a few riders who will think they are out of position. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) is the only other rider, after Bulega, to take a pole at Phillip Island but he will go from 12^th. He’s directly ahead of Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in 13^th. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) has only been out of the top seven in terms of race results once at ‘The Island’, but will line up from 15^th on the grid.

The top six from WorldSBK Superpole, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’28.244s

2. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.419s

3. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.485s

4. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.699s

5. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.728s

6. Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.805s

The first race of the 2026 season is up next! Tune in to all the action from 13:00 Local Time (UTC+11) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

WorldSBK: Bulega Tops Final Practice In Australia

Mathilde Gasnier

-

February 20, 2026

0

WorldSBK: Bulega Tops Final Practice In Australia

Nicolò Bulega led FIM Superbike World Championship Free Practice 3 (FP3) Saturday morning at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, in Australia. Riding his Aruba.It Racing – Ducati Panigale V4R on spec Pirelli tires, the Italian rider covered the 2.76-mile (4.45 km) track in 1:28.273 to lead the field of 21 riders.

Sam Lowes was second-best with a 1:28.575 on his ELF Marc VDS Ducati Panigale V4R.

Axel Bassani was third with a 1:28.722 on his Bimota by Kawasaki KB998 Rimini and his teammate Alex Lowes finished the session fourth with a lap tine of 1:28.742.

American Garrett Gerloff was fifth with a time of 1:28.743 on his Kawasaki ZX-10RR.

Danilo Petrucci was 9th on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M1000RR with a time of 1:28.842.

wsbk fp3

More from a press release issued by Dorna:

Nicolo Bulega continued showing his pace in Australia as he topped Saturday morning’s FP3 session by more than three tenths.

The final practice session of the Australian Round concluded with Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) topping the times for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The #11 has topped every session from the Official Test and the three Free Practice sessions at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, as he finished ahead of Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team).

Bulega made it a hat-trick of session-topping times in Free Practice 3 as he finished three tenths clear of his rivals, while also showing his consistent pace once again. His best time was a 1’28.273s as he beat Sam Lowes, with the #14 putting in a late lap to move into second ahead of Bassani. The Italian had been quick out of the blocks to set a 1’28.722s and secure a top-three spot in FP3, putting him in good stead for this afternoon’s Tissot Superpole session.

Sam Lowes (14) during FP3 at Phillip Island. Photo courtesy Dorna

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) ensured both Bimota riders were in the top four as he lapped just 0.020s slower than his teammate. All three Kawasaki-powered teams were in the top five, and all showing relatively similar pace. Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) claimed P5 with a 1’28.743s, exactly 0.001s slower than the #22 ahead. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) closed the gap to teammate Bulega in the 20-minute session as the #7 finished in sixth, less than half-a-second down on the #11.

Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) set a 1’28.788s as he finished in seventh, directly ahead of teammate Alvaro Bautista who was 0.050s away from Montella’s pace. Both BMW riders featured in the top ten in FP3. Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was the faster of the pair as he set a 1’28.842s, but there was little to separate him from Miguel Oliveira. 0.007s was the difference, in Petrucci’s favour.

The top six from WorldSBK FP3, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’28.273s

2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.302s

3. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.449s

4. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.469s

5. Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) +0.470s

6. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.488s

Next up, Tissot Superpole! How will the first grid of 2026 look? Find out from 13:00 Local Time (UTC+11) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

MotoAmerica: Team Shocker Racing Adds 4th Rider For Daytona

Mathilde Gasnier

-

February 20, 2026

0

MotoAmerica: Team Shocker Racing Adds 4th Rider For Daytona

Team Shocker Racing is excited to announce the addition of Chris LaBuguen to their Daytona lineup. The #410 will be joining teammates #444, Chuck Burton IV, #888 Maxim Gulinsky and the #871 of Ethan Song.

TSR Co-Owner Aaron Gustafson stated: “So we started this project with the plan of running 3 bikes originally. But things escalated rather quickly and we decided it was the right choice to give Chris the opportunity to run with the boys.

“The right push from the right people brought us to the decision to put four bikes into the show.” Says TSR Co-Owner Matt Treske

All 4 TSR riders will be onboard Trickdaddy Performance Aprilla RS660s prepped by none other than TSR’s very own Aaron “Trickdaddy” Gustafson.

Chris LaBuguen adds: “It’s been so much fun working on this project with Aaron and Matt. The team is unbelievably lucky to have someone with Aaron’s talents and dedication. He’s been putting in countless hours at the shop making sure all four bikes are ready to go. I’m definitely stoked for the opportunity to join the rest of the team at Daytona!”

Team Shocker Racing would like to thank our Title Sponsors TLC Assisted Living and Icafe Companies for their continued support and the rest of our sponsors for pushing this program forward: Sharif Racing Leathers, KYT America, Trackside Suspension and Engineering, KClay Paint, Wood Products Corporation, HSBK Racing, Vortex Racing, Woodcraft, Vesrah Drippinwet.com, Hybrid Hero, 3Four Fabrication, Tony Dransfield First Weber Reality and Hacienda Real.

For more information about TSR visit us at: https://teamshockerracing.com/

ASBK: West Tops Practice at Phillip Island

Mathilde Gasnier

-

February 20, 2026

0

ASBK: West Tops Practice at Phillip Island

Anthony West has made a vibrant start to his new career as a Ducati rider in the Penrite Australian Superbike Championship presented by Pirelli (ASBK), topping Friday practice in sublime conditions at Phillip Island.

Five months after the 44-year-old signed off from the last Phillip Island ASBK round with a maiden SW-Motech Superbike victory on a Yamaha, he’s continued his affinity with the 4.448km circuit – but now with more confidence than ever on the DesmoSport Ducati.

That will provide plenty of food for thought for his Superbike opposition, although he was pushed all the way in practice by Harrison Voght (McMartin Racing Ducati) with just 0.005s separating the duo after the two 30-minute sessions.

Defending five-time champion Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati) was third fastest on a circuit where he’s been dominant in recent times.

Hayden Nelson (BCperformance Kawasaki) and visiting Italian Roberto Tamburini (Addicted to Track Yamaha) topped qualifying in the Kawasaki-backed Supersport and Supersport Next Gen classes, while teen Riley Nauta (Champions Ride Days Kawasaki) uncorked a sizzling final lap to win a ripping Race and Road Supersport 300 opener.

The ASBK action will continue tomorrow – qualifying for Superbike and then one race apiece in all three classes – while in World Supersport Oli Bayliss (Triumph) has given himself an almighty chance to win his first race in the category after qualifying in second.

Bayliss’ fellow Aussie Remy Gardner (Yamaha) will also be front and centre in World Superbike race one, so plenty to cheer about for local fans.

Get your Phillip Island tickets here.

SW-MOTECH SUPERBIKE:

West certainly enjoyed his first official day in the Ducati bunker, with his best lap 1:31.492 in opening practice – one of four riders in the 91-second bracket alongside Voight, Waters and new Yamaha Racing Team signing Jonathan Nahlous.

“We had a good start to the weekend,” said West. “It’s our first time as a team working together under the pressure of a race weekend and everyone is really working together unreal.

“Track conditions changed a lot for FP2 and I was missing some rear grip to keep moving forward and missed some opportunities, but we learnt more and it gives me a lot of confidence heading into tomorrow.”

Jack Favelle (Addicted to Track Yamaha) was fifth fastest in practice from Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Ducati), rookie Jacob Roulstone (Honda), Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team), Cameron Dunker (Blue Marlin Pools Racing Yamaha) and Glenn Allerton (Superbike Advocates Racing Ducati).

Marcus Hamod (Honda) crashed at turn 11 in FP1 and sat out the balance of the day, but he’s expected to line up for qualifying early on Saturday morning – where milder track conditions should make for some rapid lap times.

Harrison Voight is already a Phillip Island Superbike winner. Photo courtesy ASBK

KAWASAKI SUPERSPORT/SUPERSPORT NEXT GEN:

Nelson and Tamburini will lead the 21-rider field away in the combined and Kawasaki-backed Supersport and Supersport Next Gen race, with Tom Edwards alongside them on the second BCperformance Kawasaki.

Olly Simpson (DesmoSport Ducati) made up for lost time after electrical gremlins in practice to qualify in fourth from Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha) and Tom Toparis (Stop and Seal Ducati).

Behind lurks a gaggle of young guns and experienced riders, which sets the scene for a gripping race one at 9:25am on Saturday.

Friday fast men: Tamburini (left) and Nelson. Photo courtesy ASBK.

RACE AND ROAD SUPERSPORT 300:

If the first race ASBK race of the season – Race and Road Supersport 300 – has set the tone for the season, we’re in for a treat!

It was a beauty, with a leading pack of six constantly trading blows in the eight-lapper: Nauta, Tara Morrison (Kawasaki), Jordy Simpson (Yamaha), Tyler King (Yamaha), Phoenix O’Brien (Yamaha) and polesitter Orlando Peovitis (Kawasaki).

Nauta held the top spot for most of the time, albeit with wafer-thin margins, but then broke ranks on the final lap to win by nearly two seconds ahead of King, Simpson, O’Brien, Peovitis and Morrison.

A total of 28 riders saw the finish line, with race two at 8:50am on Saturday.

Nauta aborbed plenty of heat before pullling away in the final stages. Photo courtesy ASBK

For more information on the 2026 Penrite Australian Superbike Championship presented by Pirelli:

Stuman Rides Video: Meet CVMA Racers

Mathilde Gasnier

-

February 20, 2026

0

By Stuart Smith:

I released a new video on my YouTube channel, StumanRides, today. In this video, I provide an overview of what happened at the past CVMA Race weekend (Round 5 2025-2026 Winter Series). I also interviewed a few racers in the pits prior to the races.

The video is live now at the following link: https://youtu.be/E0GlqGphd7w?si=V_M-R2O3kQdmzHVL

WorldSBK : Bulega Heads Friday Practice At Phillip Island

Mathilde Gasnier

-

February 19, 2026

0

WorldSBK : Bulega Heads Friday Practice At Phillip Island

Nicolo Bulega was quickest during FIM Superbike World Championship Free Practice 2 Friday afternoon at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, in Australia. Riding his Aruba.It Racing – Ducati Panigale V4R on spec Pirelli tires, the Italian covered the 2.76-mile (4.45 km) track in 1:29.101 to lead the field of 21 riders.

Alex Lowes was the best of the rest with a 1:29.354 on his Bimota by Kawasaki KB998 Rimini and his teammate Axel Bassani was third-fastest with a 1:29.468.

American Garrett Gerloff was 9th with a time of 1:29.699 on his Kawasaki ZX-10RR.

Danilo Petrucci was 11th on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M1000RR with a lap time of 1:29.834.

WSBK fp2

More from a press release issued by Dorna:

The #11 cemented his place at the top of the standings in Free Practice 2, although it was his FP1 time that was the fastest of the day.

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) continued to top the times in the Australian Round for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The #11 finished in P1 in both FP1 and FP2 at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit as he laid down a gauntlet to the rest of the field, finishing half-a-second clear of Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) in second and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) in third.

BULEGA LEADS, BALDASSARRI IMPRESSES: A strong day one of 2026 for ‘Bulegas’

Like in FP1, Bulega started his session with a long run and put in some consistent lap times, culminating with a 1’29.131s to cement his place in P1. He improved in the second half of the session to a 1’29.101s, securing P1 in both sessions. During FP2, ‘Bulegas’ was being followed by new teammate Iker Lecuona as the #7 builds onto the Ducati Panigale V4R, with the Spanish rider finishing eighth overall, half-a-second down on his teammate. Sam Lowes had a disrupted FP2 after he fell in the first sector of the lap with around 20 minutes to go, although the #14 was still able to take second overall after setting a 1’29.382s in FP1. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) put in a late lap to claim fifth on the combined times as he set a 1’20.482s, exactly 0.002s ahead of Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) in sixth as ‘Balda’ continues to shine on his return. Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Racing Performance) finished in 13^th, directly ahead of rookie Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing), who was one of several crashers at the Turn 4 Miller Hairpin.

Alex Lowes (22) during FP2 at Philip Island. Photo courtesy Dorna.

BIMOTA IN THE MIX: Second and fourth for Alex Lowes and Bassani

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) was the first rider to improve their lap time compared to FP1 when he set a 1’29.354s, giving him a provisional P1 in FP2, and second overall, before Bulega demoted the #22. However, the Bimota rider did lose the last couple of minutes of FP2 after a Turn 4 lowside, although he was able to re-mount his bike. Teammate Axel Bassani confirmed Bimota’s pace as he finished a tenth behind Alex Lowes in FP2 with a 1’29.468s, and fourth overall.

IN THE TOP TEN AGAIN: Gerloff keeps the ZX-10RR in the top positions

American star Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) continued his strong visit to Australia as he secured a spot in the top ten. He finished ninth in the combined times after setting a 1’29.692s in FP1 and a 1’29.699s in FP2, with the #31 showing off his consistent pace throughout the day.

ADAPTATION ONGOING: Oliveira 10^th, Petrucci 12^th for BMW

Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was the lead BMW rider on Friday as he finished in tenth place. The Portuguese rider set a 1’29.746s as he finished inside the top ten, with his time set in FP1. Danilo Petrucci was two places behind after setting a 1’29.834s as the pair continue adapting to the M1000RR.

YAMAHA HOPING FOR GAINS: Vierge leads the blue charge in 11^th

Yamaha have endured a difficult start to the season, with Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) narrowly missing out on a top ten result. He finished 11^th as the lead rider for the Japanese manufacturer after posting a 1’29.806s. Teammate Andrea Locatelli was struggling with the bumps over the course of the two-day Official Test, and ‘Loka’ finished Friday down in 15^th place after posting a 1’30.060s. Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was more than a tenth clear of teammate Remy Gardner in 18^th and 19^th respectively, with the latter heading into his home round still recovering from a broken arm and dislocated shoulder he sustained in training late last year. Bahattin Sofuoglu (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) was 20^th after he crashed at Turn 4 during FP2, with the #54 setting a 1’30.786s to beat teammate Mattia Rato; the Italian rounding out the WorldSBK field.

DIFFICULT DAY AT HONDA: Vickers 16^th, Nagashima 17^th

Honda have had a tricky start to the season, with new Honda HRC recruits Jake Dixon and Somkiat Chantra both missing from the grid due to respective injuries. There are still two CBR1000RR-R SP machines on the grid in the form of wildcard Ryan Vickers (Honda HRC) and Tetsuta Nagashima (Honda HRC), who finished in 16^th and 17^th respectively.

The top six from Friday’s WorldSBK action, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’28.858s

2. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.496s

3. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.524s

4. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.610s

5. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.624s

6. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) +0.626s

Tissot Superpole and the first race of 2026 await on Saturday! Catch all the action from 10:00 Local Time (UTC+11) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

WorldSSP : Masia Tops Superpole Qualifying In Australia

Mathilde Gasnier

-

February 19, 2026

0

WorldSSP : Masia Tops Superpole Qualifying In Australia

Jaume Masia topped FIM Supersport World Championship Superpole qualifying Friday at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, in Australia. Riding his Orelac Racing Verdnatura Ducati Panigale V2 on Pirelli control tires, Masia lapped the 2.76-mile (4.45 km) course in 1:32.115 to top the field of 28 riders and earn pole position.

Oli Bayliss was the best of the rest with a 1:32.287 on his PTR Triumph Street Triple 765 RS, and Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise earned the third and final spot on the front row with a lap time of 1:32.439 on his ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bross 820RR.

wssp superpole

More from a press release issued by Dorna:

Four manufacturers in the top four as the WorldSSP season shoots out of the gate.

The 2026 FIM Supersport World Championship campaign is officially a go! The Australian Round saw the WorldSSP field throw down in this season’s first Tissot Superpole session, with Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) coming out on top to claim the season’s first pole position. The result is his second career pole in WorldSSP and has punched his ticket on Saturday to start from P1. Behind him, the front row will be comprised of to be tailed in P2 by home hero Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) and Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) in P3.

MASIA ON POLE TO START 2026: The Spanish sophomore will lead the pack in Race 1

Jaume Masia nailed the Superpole session after a dominant week of testing on the timesheets. The2023 Moto3 Champion makes it two career poles in WorldSSP as he continues to improve his case for title contender with a 1’32.115s lap. Oli Bayliss set the table for home weekend glory in his Tissot Superpole session. The Aussie rider set hot lap after hot lap to sit P1 early, doing enough to land P2 with his final time of 1’32.287s and his first WorldSSP front-row start. Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) started ZXMOTO’s WorldSSP story on a stunning note, his 1’32.439s time taking the new Chinese manufacturer to P3 to round out the front row.

Valentin Debise (53) during the Superpole in Australia. Photo courtesy Dorna

BOOTH-AMOS’S TIME HOLDS ON: Despite seeing the chequered flag from the medical centre, his time sees him to a P5 placement

Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) looked a step faster than what he had shown earlier in the week during testing, battling for the front row on the timesheet, but will have to settle for leading the second row from P4 with his time of 1’32.450 seeing him a third of a second off of P1 pace. Tom Booth-Amos was running as the latter of a Triumph one-two at the session’s midpoint until a Turn 11 highside crash caused a red flag and sent him to the medical centre to end his session. As faster times piled up, the Englishman and his 1’32.554s time fell to P5. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) hovered around P8 throughout the session, until he returned to the boxes with eight minutes left to make a final adjustment for one last stint. Those changes helped him to a 1’32.617s for an improved P6.

NO PROBLEMS ADAPTING: Arenas goes third-row in first-ever WorldSSP Superpole

Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) looks to have found a step on Friday as he converted his Free Practice P5 into a Tissot Superpole P7. His 1’32.673s time will see him start his first WorldSSP race from the third row. Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) was the top finisher of the field’s inbound former MotoE riders. He took P8 on the back of his impressive 1’32.710s time. Ondrej Vostatek again showed his affinity for the Australian circuit as he and his Ducati Panigale V2 clocked a 1’32.819s time to earn P9. Mattia Casadei (D34G WorldSSP Racing Team) was the third rider to crash on the high-speed Turn 11 with just a minute to go. The Italian’s 1’32.827s time held on, however, to take P10.

TRICKY TURN 11: Three riders took a tumble on the fast corner

Oliver Konig’s (Compos Racing Team) tough day at the office on Friday continued after a tech issue that caused a red flag in Free Practice. In the Superpole session, he suffered a high-side crash on Turn 11, which sent him to the medical centre, where he was later ruled fit to continue. Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha) had a Turn 5 crash with 17 minutes left in the session, walking away unharmed.

The top six from the WorldSSP Tissot Superpole session: Full results here!

1. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 1’32.115s

2. Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +0.172s

3. Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) +0.324s

4. Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +0.335s

5. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +0.439s

6. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.502s

Lock in your spot to watch the first race of the WorldSSP season on Saturday live or OnDemand with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

WorldSBK : Bulega Tops Opening Practice At Phillip Island

Mathilde Gasnier

-

February 19, 2026

0

WorldSBK : Bulega Tops Opening Practice At Phillip Island

Nicolo Bulega was quickest during FIM Superbike World Championship Free Practice 1 Friday morning at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, in Australia. Riding his Pirelli-shod Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4R on the 2.76-mile (4.45 km) track, the Italian recorded a 1:28.858 to lead the field of 21 riders.

Sam Lowes was the best of the rest with a 1:29.382 on his ELF Marc VDS Ducati Panigale V4R.

Axel Bassani was third-fastest with a 1:29.547 on his Bimota by Kawasaki KB998 Rimini.

American Garrett Gerloff finished the opening session 7th with a 1:29.692 on his Kawasaki ZX-10RR.

Danilo Petrucci was 12th on his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M1000RR with a lap time of 1:29.892.

Results wsbk fp1

More from a press release issued by Dorna:

The #11 started the weekend exactly as he’d have envisaged by leading the timesheets in the 45-minute FP1 session.

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship kicked off at the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit with Free Practice 1 for the Australian Round, with Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) leading the way by 0.524s. ‘Bulegas’ put in a long run at the start of the session where he set his best time right at the end of the stint, firing a warning shot to his competitors about how strong he would be in Australia, with Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) his closest rivals.

Bulega started the weekend as he ended the Official Test, as the only rider in the 1’28s and putting in an impressive stint. He was finding pace with each lap that he completed during a long first stint of 11 representative lap times, with a 1’28.858s set on the penultimate lap of the run. That turned out to be his best lap time was he finished half-a-second clear of Sam Lowes in second, while the #14 was more than a tenth clear of Bassani in third as ‘El Bocia’ once again showed his pace after a strong test.

Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was another who was quick in the test and that carried on during FP1 as the #5 posted a 1’29.561s to claimed fourth place. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) was fifth after lapping half-a-tenth down on Montella, and was 0.757s away from Bulega’s pacesetting time. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) looks to be in contention for a strong result on his WorldSBK return as he claimed sixth in the opening 45-minute session of the year.

Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) set a 1’29.962s as he finished in the top seven on his new ZX-10RR machine, beating Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) by 0.018s as the Spaniard secured a top-ten spot. Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) finished in ninth, 0.888s slower than Bulega, as Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) rounded out the top ten as he beat former teammate Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) by 0.050s; Vierge was the lead Yamaha rider.

The top six from WorldSBK FP1, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’28.858s

2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.524s

3. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.689s

4. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.703s

5. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.757s

6. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) +0.811s

Free Practice 2 takes place at 16:00 Local Time (UTC+11) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

WorldSSP: Masia Quickest In Opening Practice In Australia

Mathilde Gasnier

-

February 19, 2026

0

WorldSSP: Masia Quickest In Opening Practice In Australia

Jaume Masia was quickest during FIM Supersport World Championship Free practice Friday morning at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, in Australia. Riding his Orelac Racing Verdnatura Ducati Panigale V2 on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard covered the 2.76-mile (4.45 km) road course in 1:32.120, topping the field of 28 riders.

Home hero, Oli Bayliss was the best of the rest with a 1:32.352 on his PTR Triumph Factory Racing Street Triple 765 RS.

Philip Oettl was third with a lap time of 1:32.370 on his Feel Racing Ducati Panigale V2.

Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise was 6th with a 1:32.523 on his ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bross 820RR.

Results wssp fo

WorldSSP: Race One Results From Phillip Island

February 20, 2026

Oli Bayliss (32), Lucas Mahias (94) and Matteo Ferrari (11) during the WSSP Race 1 at Philip Island. Photo courtesy Dorna.