P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Sam Lowes’ WorldSBK preseason was frustrated by bad weather at the first test in Jerez.
Due to bad weather at the first preseason test for WorldSBK in 2026, Sam Lowes’ adaptation process to the new Ducati Panigale V4 R was delayed.
The two days of testing in Spain on 21-22 January were hampered by rain, with many riders opting out on the first day and only completing a half-day on the wet track on the second day.
Lowes, who only got on-track around 14:00 on the second day, managed to finish fourth-fastest after completing around 25 laps on the updated Panigale V4 R.
The challenging conditions limited Lowes’ track time and hindered his ability to fully explore the bike’s new features and settings.
He expressed the need to work on ergonomics and suspension adjustments during the upcoming test in Portugal to ensure a more comfortable setup for the upcoming races.
