WorldSBK test chaos as Portugal weather warnings causes plans to change

WorldSBK’s second test of 2026 has been affected by bad weather in southern Portugal, with BMW rearranging.

The final European test of the 2026 World Superbike preseason was due to take place at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve on 28–29 January, but southern Portugal has been battered by bad weather this week, and that is due to continue on Wednesday and Thursday for when the test was scheduled.

Italian publication GPOne reports that BMW has now switched its plans, meaning it will now head to Valencia to ride there with Miguel Oliveira and Danilo Petrucci instead. However, this riding will be conducted as part of a track day session that was already organised, and so not a true test. 

The weather at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo is due to be not as severe as that in Portimao, which is forecast to experience winds of up to around 60mph tomorrow, but there is rain forecast for Wednesday morning and into the early afternoon in Valencia.

The remainder of the manufacturers, however, are remaining in Portimao. This includes Ducati, who arranged the private test.

The weather-affected testing this week comes after rain hit last week’s test in Jerez on 21–22 January, with many riders not taking to the track until the afternoon of the second day which was still affected by patchy track conditions. The fastest lap times in Jerez last week were still around three seconds slower than the pole position time from last October’s Spanish Round.

The limited running in Jerez makes this week's tests of increased importance for all manufacturers, including Ducati who are trying to dial in their updated Panigale V4 R. Kawasaki, too, have a new bike; while Honda's only fit rookie (Somkiat Chantra was injured in Sepang before the Jerez test), Jake Dixon, is trying to get as much mileage as possible; and Yamaha has a new rider in its factory team, Xavi Vierge, and a rookie in Stefano Manzi at GRT.