WorldSSP Championship Preview: Phillip Island Sets the Stage for 2026 Battle
The 2026 FIM Supersport World Championship season is poised to begin at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, following limited preseason testing at Jerez and Portimao due to inclement weather. Riders have finally had two days of dry track conditions to prepare for the upcoming races.
Masia’s Momentum: Can He Convert Testing Speed to Race Wins?
Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) topped the official Phillip Island Test, building on his sixth-place finish and a crash in Race 2 at the same circuit last year. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) also showed strong pace during the preseason, as did Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) and Alessandro Zaccone (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team), all transitioning from MotoE competition. Josh Whatley (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) finished eighth on the first day of testing and will aim to build on that performance.
Championship Contenders Gear Up
Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) is considered a favorite for the title. He has joined the team of reigning champion Stefano Manzi and finished fourth on the first day of testing, but dropped to 19th on the second. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) and his new teammate, Roberto Garcia, arrive at the weekend with optimism. Aldi Mahendra (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) returns to the track after an injury forced him to miss the latter half of 2025, and Albert Arenas, the 2020 Moto3 World Champion, joins the team, demonstrating quality pace in testing.
Triumph and Local Hero Bayliss Aim High
Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) secured the second-fastest time in both test days, delighting his home crowd. His teammate, Tom Booth-Amos, won Race 2 at Phillip Island last year and will be looking to repeat that success. Ondrej Vostatek (Compos Racing Team) impressed during testing, while Oliver Konig (Compos Racing Team) returns to the paddock after competing in WorldSBK in 2022 and 2023, marking his first WorldSSP round.
New Teams and Rider Transitions
Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) is riding with the new ZXMOTO team, achieving top-12 finishes in both test days. Federico Caricasulo (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) experienced a less successful test, but ZXMOTO appears well-positioned for a strong start in WorldSSP. Dominique Aegerter (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team), a former WorldSSP champion in 2021 and 2022 (winning Race 2 at Phillip Island in 2022), and teammate Jeremy Alcoba have been working on their Kawasaki ZX-6R 636, showing potential for podium finishes. Jacopo Cretaro (Flembbo by Racing Development) and Andrea Giombini (Motozoo by Madforce Dubai) are embarking on their first full season in WorldSSP, riding the MV Agusta F3 800 RR.
Testing Insights and Challenges
Cretaro and Giombini both experienced crashes during testing. Cretaro finished within the top 15 on the first day. Filippo Farioli (VFT Racing) encountered a technical issue on the first day but participated in both test days. Xavi Cardelus (Cerba Yamaha Racing Team) and Yuki Okamoto (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) are making their debut with the Yamaha R9.
FAQ
Q: Who is the reigning WorldSSP Champion?
A: Stefano Manzi.
Q: Where is the first race of the 2026 WorldSSP season?
A: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
Q: Which rider topped the official Phillip Island Test?
A: Jaume Masia.
Q: What is the WorldSBK VideoPass?
A: A service offering live and on-demand coverage of the WorldSBK Championship, including behind-the-scenes access.
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