The FIM Supersport World Championship preseason tests in Australia have concluded, and the stage is set for an electrifying season opener this Friday! But here's where it gets controversial: can Jaume Masia maintain his dominance, or will the competition close the gap? Day 2 of testing saw riders battling not just each other, but also the elements, as rain interrupted an otherwise sunny start. Despite the challenging conditions, Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) once again proved unstoppable, securing the top spot with a blistering 1’32.525s lap—his fastest time across both days. This marks a clean sweep for the Spaniard, who topped all four testing sessions Down Under. And this is the part most people miss: while Masia’s performance is impressive, the real story might be the resurgence of riders like Lucas Mahias, who climbed from P10 to P5 by the end of Day 2.
Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) continued his strong showing on home soil, finishing just 0.034s behind Masia in P2. His teammate, Tom Booth-Amos, joined him near the front with a late charge to P3, showcasing the team’s potential for the upcoming season. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) held steady in P4, while Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) made a notable comeback, clocking a 1’32.859s lap to secure P5. Ondrej Vostatek (Compos Racing Team) rounded out the top six with a consistent performance across both days.
Here’s a bold interpretation: could Mahias’s return to form signal a shift in the championship dynamics? Meanwhile, Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) turned his fortunes around after a difficult Day 1, climbing from P20 to P8. Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) and Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) also impressed, with Debise already looking competitive on the new ZXMOTO 820RR—a bike making its WorldSSP debut. Josh Whatley (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) and Aldi Mahendra (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) continued to hover around the top 10, while title favorite Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) will need to find his rhythm after finishing in P19.
As the dust settles on preseason testing, one question lingers: Who will rise to the challenge and challenge Masia for the championship crown? With the season opener just days away, the stage is set for thrilling battles on track. Don’t miss the action—tune in live or catch up OnDemand with the WorldSBK VideoPass! What are your predictions for the season? Let us know in the comments below!
