The thrill of the track was overshadowed by a relentless downpour, leaving a top rider feeling like a kid with a broken toy! Alex Lowes, gearing up for the 2026 World Superbike season, found himself in a frustrating situation during a crucial test at Jerez. With the season opener just a month away, this two-day session was meant to be a prime opportunity to fine-tune the Bimota machine and explore new components. However, Mother Nature had other plans, as severe weather drastically limited track time for nearly all the competitors.
Despite the challenging conditions, Lowes managed to secure the second-fastest time on Thursday, a testament to his skill even with minimal laps. He described the experience of finally getting out on slick tires as being "like a big kid," a moment of pure joy after a week of waiting. But the elation was short-lived. "Apart from that, to really start getting to work, we didn’t have enough laps," he admitted. In total, he only completed 16 laps on the final day, which was simply not enough to thoroughly evaluate any new parts.
He did manage to get a brief feel for some new front forks from Showa, but the intermittent rain meant he couldn't gather enough data to make a definitive judgment. "I got a few laps, a first feeling, but not really one where I could decide if it was better or worse," he explained. On the positive side, Lowes reported that the electronics are an area of constant evolution in World Superbike, and he was able to pick up the feeling he had from a previous test in November quite quickly, trying some things that "felt quite good."
But here's where it gets controversial... While Lowes expressed happiness at being back with the team, the limited track time raises questions about the effectiveness of pre-season testing when weather is so unpredictable. Is it truly beneficial to travel and prepare for sessions that are so easily disrupted? And this is the part most people miss: Lowes hopes for better weather in Portimao for the next test, aiming to confirm components for the Philip Island opener. He emphasized that if the weather is bad again, he'll still ride in the rain, a determined attitude that highlights the rider's commitment but also the inherent gamble of relying on track time that might not materialize.
Lowes is eager to test his new setup at a different track, acknowledging that "if it’s good weather, we’ll try to do a lot more laps." He's focused on his feelings with the bike, which has undergone significant changes since the November test. He anticipates the challenge of replicating his positive feelings at a new venue, stating, "I need to try the new setup at a new track, it would be fantastic if I could keep the same feeling but that’s not how it works." His overarching sentiment is one of anticipation for the next opportunity to work with his team, despite the frustrating lack of laps.
What are your thoughts on the impact of unpredictable weather on pre-season testing? Do you think teams should factor in a higher probability of lost track time, or is the current system the best we can do? Let us know in the comments below!
