The winter break is over and it’s all systems go for Sam Lowes and the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team as the countdown to round one in the 2026 WorldSBK campaign kicked off with a weather disrupted two-day test session in Spain this week.

The Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto hosted the first track action of what promises to be an exciting third season together for Briton Lowes and the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team in WorldSBK.

Adverse weather conditions though in the Andalusia region of south Spain meant Lowes was only able to lap on the new spec Ducati Panigale V4R on the second afternoon as cool temperatures and rain dominated proceedings.

/// SAM LOWES: 1:39.811, 27 LAPS

Raring to get his 2026 preparations underway after an intense winter of physical training, Lowes didn’t get to complete a single lap on the opening day as rain curtailed any hopes of meaningful testing.

Cool overnight temperatures meant Lowes was greeted by a wet surface once again on the morning of day two and the 35-year-old only ventured out of the pits during the final afternoon as track conditions finally started to dry out.

Lowes was able to complete a short but important stint of 27 laps of the 4.42km track, but his test ended prematurely when rain started to fall once again late on the second afternoon.

The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team will hope for more favourable weather when it crosses the border into Portugal for the second pre-season outing at the Algarve International Circuit next week.

“It was good to get some laps in on the new bike”

“It was brilliant to get back on track and to get the first opportunity to do some laps on the new bike. Unfortunately, the weather stopped us from really exploring its potential and that’s a shame because everybody was super excited to get some good preparation work done after the winter break. At least in the small number of laps I was able to complete on the new bike we were able to try some ergonomic settings to get me more comfortable and make it feel like my bike. Fingers crossed we get some better weather next week in Portugal, but it was great to be back with the team and back on a race bike and we’ll look to get more dialled in with the new bike in Portimão.”