Superbike Advocates Racing completes crucial test at Portimão

The Superbike Advocates Racing team made final preparations for its debut WorldSBK race weekend during a two-day test at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.

With their WorldSBK debut just two weeks away, Superbike Advocates Racing and rider Tommy Bridewell battled inclement weather during a two-day test at the Portuguese circuit in Portimão, the same track that will host the second world championship round later this month.

This was the team’s first real test session since announcing its late entry to the 2026 Superbike World Championship. Playing catch up with respect to the rest of the field, which has benefitted from a series of winter tests, Superbike Advocates Racing was eager to exploit the track time on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 March, though rain unfortunately impacted on progress across both days.

Undeterred by the conditions, the very first Australian-owned WorldSBK squad proudly unveiled its 2026 livery at the Portuguese track, with its Ducati Panigale V4R showcasing Australian and British flags and striking red, white and green graphics on a black base.

As for the work program, the focus was on getting Tommy as comfortable and confident as possible aboard the Panigale V4R, while collating essential data ahead of the upcoming race weekend. Bridewell worked hard with his new technical team, guided by crew chief Mick Shanley, but the schedule was unfortunately conditioned by wet weather. Monday’s action was essentially cut short after rain at lunchtime left the track damp for much of the afternoon, with Tommy putting in just 14 laps. Tuesday brought more rain, with the British rider able to complete 32 laps with his V4R during the afternoon. The only SBK rider to venture out on what was a patchy track, a highly motivated Bridewell rode until almost the session’s end.

Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, both team and rider now feel better prepared for their first WorldSBK race weekend, to be staged at the same Autódromo Internacional do Algarve on 27-29 March.

Tommy Bridewell (Superbike Advocates Racing - #46)
“The feeling on the bike is fantastic and I’ve had nothing but a smile on my face, though the conditions have been challenging to say the least. We made a positive start on Monday. We had a few electrical issues that delayed us initially, but the team got on top of that, and we were able to head out and make two short exits, before the rain made an appearance. We hoped for better weather on Tuesday but again faced a wet track. We've focused a lot on the electronics side of things, and it's been really positive in terms of the sensations and feeling on the bike, considering the limited number of laps we’ve got in. 

I think we’re in a good position in terms of the team and the infrastructure and everyone’s working really well together – it’s great to be part of it. I think we are capable of doing a great job this season, but we need to build race by race.”