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The first wheels of the 2021 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship have turned following a test at Jerez in January. However, with more time before the season starts in early May, there’s an array of private tests that are scheduled. With new riders in the Championship and a whole host of new machinery and refreshed line-ups, testing has never been more important, as yet another blistering WorldSBK Championship gets ready to kick off.

With some tests already completed, including at Jerez in January where no running took place, there are still plenty of chances for riders to get back on track. Jerez also hosted a one-day test for the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK in February while Ducati teams – Aruba.It Racing – Ducati and Barni Racing Team got their first track action of 2021 at Misano as Tito Rabat tested WorldSBK machinery for the first time. Rookie Jonas Folger (Bonovo MGM Racing) has also been out testing on last season’s BMW S 1000 RR ahead of his first full-time campaign in WorldSBK.

The 4^th and 5^th of March, the Portimao circuit will once again play host to crucial preseason track time. Again, organised by KRT, Rea and Lowes are joined by Isaac Viñales and Loris Cresson from the Jerez test. However, new additions include the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and their new M 1000 RR in the hands of 2013 World Champion Tom Sykes and new signing Michael van der Mark. The BMW satellite teams of RC Squadra Corse and Bonovo Action are also present, with Eugene Laverty and Jonas Folger respectively. It’ll be the first test of the year for Christophe Ponsson and the Gil Motorsport Yamaha. On the 9^th and the 10^th of March, a private test by HRC will take place at Jerez.

March 15^th and 16^th sees more tests, this time at Misano. PATA YAMAHA WorldSBK Official Team will be in action with Toprak Razgatlioglu and Andrea Locatelli, whilst the GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team take to the track with Garrett Gerloff and Japanese rookie Kohta Nozane. Redding and Rinaldi fly the factory Ducati flag again whilst Tito Rabat will also be in attendance for Barni; Chaz Davies and Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) complete the line-up – the first 2021 test for Mahias.

One of the main tests comes from Estoril on the 24^th and 25^th of March. Apart from Ducati’s factory team, all other factory efforts will be in attendance. The Independent teams joining the factory squads are GRT Yamaha with Gerloff and Nozane, ORELAC Racing VerdNatura with Viñales, Bonovo Action with Folger, RC Squadra Corse with Laverty, Christophe Ponsson and Gil Motorsport as well as GMT94 Yamaha’s World Supersport effort with Jules Cluzel and Federico Caricasulo.

A Dorna-supported test will take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with the majority of teams joining the two days of track action, as well as WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 getting their share of track action. Some teams then go onwards to MotorLand Aragon for the final preseason test so far. Of course, these entry lists are only provisional and new teams may add to their existing testing programme. With all tests except privately organised, with the exception of the Dorna-supported test at the end of March, the dates for testing could change as well as the list of riders taking part.

Find below for a full list of when the tests are and where they are at:

Jerez test: 20^th – 21^st January

Portimao test: 4^th – 5^th March

Jerez test: 9^th – 10^th March (Honda only)

Misano test: 15^th – 16^th March

Estoril test: 24^th – 25^th March

Official Preseason Test at Barcelona: March 31^st – 1^st April

MotorLand Aragon test: April 12^th – 13^th

Enjoy all of the action from the preseason, past years and all of the 2021 campaign with the WorldSBK VideoPass!