WINTER TEST | PORTIMAO
January 30, 2026
Bautista working on the new Panigale V4 RS2026. Focus on race pace and set-up development ahead of Round 1
The two-day official test at the Australian circuit came to an end in finally stable conditions and on a fully dry track, a key appointment in preparation for the opening round of the Championship, scheduled once again at Phillip Island on the weekend of February 21–22. Mild temperatures and regular track sessions allowed the Barni Spark Racing Team to work consistently on the new Panigale V4 RS2026, gathering crucial data to better understand the bike’s potential in dry conditions and to refine the race set-up.
For Álvaro it was the first two days of work together with the team.
The Spanish rider completed 66 laps on Day 1, finishing both sessions in seventh position (1:30.333 in FP1 and 1:30.297 in FP2), focusing mainly on understanding the bike on a technical and unique track such as Phillip Island.
On Day 2, the overall level increased and Bautista improved his benchmark time, setting a 1:29.861 in FP1 (P11) after 37 laps and breaking into the 1:29 range. In the afternoon, he continued working on race pace and set-up, completing another 37 laps and finishing with a 1:30.180 (P11), for a total of 74 laps on the second day.
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ALVARO BAUTISTA
“We finally completed our first two test days together with the team. They were demanding days, during which we worked intensively to build a base with the new bike on a unique and challenging track like Phillip Island. On the first day the feeling wasn’t the best, but step by step we managed to improve it. The work with the team is progressing well, even if we still need to get to know each other better to understand which changes to the bike can help me gain more confidence and improve the feeling on track. Overall, I’m quite satisfied. Especially in the last outing we made an important change and I felt a positive step, which allowed me to start pushing with more confidence on this set-up. Now we need to analyse the data carefully and understand exactly what I need to further improve the feeling. I’m happy with the work done. Now a short break and then we’ll be ready to start the season in the best possible way”.