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Weather-Hit WorldSBK Tests Crimp Development as Bulega Leads Wet Portimao

Teams now look to the Phillip Island official test to finish development before racing begins on February 20.

Overview

  • Back-to-back Jerez and Portimao sessions were hampered by rain and strong winds, leaving most riders with limited dry laps and curtailed programs.
  • Nicolo Bulega topped the Portimao timesheets with a 1'59.144, yet Ducati reported its updated Panigale V4 R could not be properly evaluated in representative conditions.
  • Iker Lecuona and his new crew focused on wet running and low-grip settings, learned operational workflows, and logged a low-speed Turn 8 crash without damage.
  • ROKiT BMW moved its work to Valencia to find dry track time, while several Yamaha teams opted not to run in the challenging conditions at Portimao.
  • Honda rookie Jake Dixon used a test day to work on rain setup, finished third with a 2'00.111, and plans to build mileage in Australia.