Danilo Petrucci Fastest on Day One of WorldSBK Jerez Test 2026

WorldSBK, Sportrik Media - Danilo Petrucci made an immediate impact with his new team by topping the timesheets on the opening day of the WorldSBK 2026 pre-season test at Circuito de Jerez–Ángel Nieto, as the Superbike paddock returned to life ahead of the new campaign.

The Italian rider, newly signed by ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, posted a benchmark lap of 1:52.976 aboard the BMW M1000 RR. It was the only time of the day in the 1:52 range, giving Petrucci a commanding advantage over the rest of the field during the first official test session of the year.

Petrucci’s closest challenger was former Barni Ducati team-mate Yari Montella. The Italian placed second with a best lap of 1:54.194 on the Ducati Panigale V4 R, finishing 1.2 seconds adrift of Petrucci’s pace. Montella’s result nonetheless represented a solid opening day as Barni Spark Racing continued to evaluate its early-season baseline.

Third fastest was Petrucci’s BMW team-mate Miguel Oliveira, who recorded a 1:54.260. Oliveira focused heavily on mileage rather than outright lap time, completing 31 laps — the most of any rider on the day. Much of his running was completed on wet Pirelli tyres, underlining BMW’s data-driven approach during the early phase of the test rather than a pure time attack.

Fourth position went to Stefano Manzi on the Yamaha R1, making him the fastest Yamaha rider on day one. Representing GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, Manzi clocked a 1:55.044 as he continued his adaptation to the Superbike category, delivering an encouraging signal for Yamaha’s broader programme.

Completing the top five was Iker Lecuona for Aruba.it Racing Ducati. Lecuona set a best time of 1:55.605, with his programme centred on long-run consistency rather than chasing a headline lap time. Ducati’s approach across the paddock suggested a conservative test plan focused on understanding base set-up characteristics of the Panigale V4 R.

Sixth fastest was Xavi Fores, who delivered a noteworthy performance for the newly formed Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team. Fores posted a 1:55.917 aboard the Bimota KB998, offering an early indication that the Bimota–Kawasaki project has competitive potential, despite still being in a developmental phase.

Positions seven through ten were filled by Andrea Locatelli for Pata Maxus Yamaha, Alvaro Bautista for Barni Ducati, Jake Dixon with Honda HRC, and WorldSSP rider Jeremy Alcoba, who impressed in a mixed-class testing environment.

The test day also featured entries from the Endurance World Championship paddock, including David Checa, Kenny Foray, and Marcel Schrotter. Their combined effort placed the EWC squad around 18th fastest by the end of the day, with the focus firmly on track familiarisation and endurance-specific data gathering rather than outright speed.

While day-one lap times should be interpreted with caution due to differing tyre choices, fuel loads, and run plans, Petrucci’s immediate pace with BMW stands out as one of the most significant technical storylines from the opening session. His performance suggests that BMW may enter the 2026 season with a stronger baseline than in previous years, though further sessions will be required to confirm the true competitive order.

WorldSBK Jerez Test 2026