SBK, PORTIMÃO: LOWES CALLS THE SHOTS. AND THE NEW World Sportbike IS LAUNCHED

LOWES SHOW: FRIDAY IS HIS

There is one name at the top of the lot, and it is Sam Lowes.
The British rider lights up Friday at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve with a lap that counts: 1’39”941, the outright fastest time of the day.

A time that is not just news, but a strong signal.

Lowes, not at his physical best, grits his teeth and delivers the performance that surprises the paddock. Behind him, though, Nicolò Bulega remains rock solid, the championship leader, less than three tenths off and always the reference with Ducati.

Third place for Yari Montella, now a regular presence in the leading positions.

The main Friday references:

Lowes – 1’39”941

Bulega – +0.247

Montella – a few tenths off

Superbike Portimão 2026, where the asphalt breathes and the season takes shape

SUPERBIKE TIGHT AS EVER: MARGINS MINIMAL

The most significant figure of the day is the overall balance:
thirteen riders within one second.

A clear sign of just how high and level the Superbike 2026 field is.

Good indications also from Alex Lowes and Iker Lecuona, while Jonathan Rea remains further back, affected by a crash.

Ducati confirms its solidity, Yamaha appears more in difficulty, while Lowes comes across as a factor capable of upsetting the balance.

PORTIMÃO CONFIRMS ITS SELECTIVITY

The Algarve track continues to highlight all its characteristics: pronounced ups and downs, blind corners and demanding braking zones.

A technical and physically demanding track, where finding consistency is essential. Errors have been plentiful and several riders have struggled to find a rhythm over race pace.

WORLD SPORTBIKE: A NEW CATEGORY GETS UNDER WAY

THE ENTRY LEVEL CHANGES

World Sportbike makes its official debut at Portimão, the new category that replaces Supersport 300.

This is an important step for the structure of the world championship:
more high-performance bikes, greater technical continuity with the higher categories and a higher competitive level.

Six manufacturers are already involved in the inaugural season, with a grid made up mainly of young riders.

WorldSBK, a revolution on track: the Sportbike World Championship is born

THE EARLY REFERENCES

Among the names to emerge in the opening sessions is Matteo Vannucci, immediately competitive at the start of this campaign.

The most obvious aspect, though, remains the balance: several riders and several bikes capable of moving into the leading positions, with no clear dominance.

THE KEY POINT

The first day at Portimão offers clear indications.

In Superbike the level is extremely balanced: Lowes goes to the top, but Bulega and the rest of the field remain very close. Every session can change the balance.

The birth of World Sportbike, meanwhile, represents a strategic development for the future of the championship: a category designed to develop riders and guide them towards the highest levels.

The weekend is still long, but the foundations for a competitive and uncertain spectacle are already clear.