Ducati locked out the top five in FP2 at Portimao, with Sam Lowes the first non Ducati rider in sixth on the Bimota. The pressure inside the Ducati camp is building. Lecuona and Bautista both face scrutiny after being outshone by satellite riders in Australia. One manufacturer. Five bikes in the top five. WorldSBK has a Ducati dominance problem. Or a Ducati dominance spectacle. Depends entirely on your allegiances.

2023 British Superbike champion Tommy Bridewell makes his WorldSBK debut at Portimao this weekend with the Superbike Advocates team, having tested at the circuit on March nine and ten as one of the few riders to complete laps on the second wet day. He crashed at Turn five in FP2 but completed the session. British Superbike’s 2023 champion is now on the world stage.

Jonathan Rea makes his return to WorldSBK this weekend at Portimao, stepping in for injured factory Honda rider Jake Dixon who continues to recover from wrist injuries sustained at the Phillip Island test. The six time world champion himself sparked the comeback when he said he thought why not, describing it as a good opportunity to get behind the lights again. The Goat is back on a Superbike.

Sam Lowes topped both FP1 and FP2 at Portimao on Friday, becoming the only rider to lap in the 1 minute 39 seconds bracket in the afternoon session. Nicolo Bulega finished second in both sessions but admitted he was riding at only 90 percent, unable to find a comfortable setup. The championship leader is not at his limit yet. Lowes is already there.

Honda HRC has officially confirmed Jonathan Rea will replace the injured Jake Dixon at the Portimao WorldSBK round on March 27 to 29, partnering Somkiat Chantra who returns from injury. The six time champion retired from full time racing at the end of 2025 before joining Honda as test rider, making Portimao his first race with Honda since 2014.

WorldSBK heads to the iconic Autodromo Internacional do Algarve for Round 2 on March 27 to 29, with Nicolo Bulega arriving as championship leader after a dominant hat trick at Phillip Island. Ducati have traditionally enjoyed strong results at Portimao, making Bulega the clear favourite heading into the Rollercoaster Round. Alex Lowes topped the pre round test for Bimota Kawasaki, hinting at a potential upset.

Honda HRC will field Jonathan Rea and Somkiat Chantra at the upcoming WorldSBK Portimao test. Chantra returns after arm surgery forced him to miss the Australian round, while Jake Dixon continues recovering from a fractured wrist. Dixon’s rehabilitation is progressing well, but the Portuguese test comes too soon for his return.

Alvaro Bautista said wet conditions turned WorldSBK Race 2 at Phillip Island into a “lottery”. Poor visibility and changing grip made the race difficult for riders, but he secured third place for Barni Ducati. Bautista added he focused on staying safe and finishing the race as teams coped with unpredictable weather.

Nicolo Bulega won Race 2 at Phillip Island to complete a clean sweep of the opening WorldSBK round. The Ducati rider mastered wet conditions to take his third victory of the weekend. Axel Bassani finished second and Alvaro Bautista secured third, giving Barni Ducati its first podium of the season.