American rider Garrett Gerloff set the fastest time on January 29 2026 during the opening day of the World Superbike Championship preseason test at the Portimao Circuit in Portugal, marking a strong start ahead of the new racing season.
Gerloff posted his quickest lap during afternoon sessions as teams used the first test day to evaluate new setups tires and technical upgrades. Conditions at the Algarve circuit were described as cool but stable allowing riders to complete long runs and performance simulations.
Several leading riders finished close behind Gerloff on the timesheets with teams focusing on data collection rather than outright pace. Engineers and crew members worked through multiple configurations as part of preparations for the opening round of the championship.
WorldSBK officials said the Portimao test is a key benchmark for teams as it offers a mix of high speed sections and technical corners. Riders emphasized the importance of consistency and reliability this early in preseason testing.
Testing is scheduled to continue over the coming days with further sessions expected to refine race setups and confirm rider confidence ahead of the 2026 season opener.
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