Bold opener: WorldSSP is on fire in Australia, and the drama is just getting started as Masia asserts dominance while the local hero Bayliss shines on home soil.
A busy Day 1 for Official Test sessions at the Australian Round wrapped up with two fully dry sessions after a soggy preseason, setting the stage for an exciting weekend. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) led the way again in FP2, topping the combined timesheets and signaling strong form for the Spaniard. Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) showed up at his home circuit in second place, with Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) close behind in third.
MASIA MAKES IT A PAIR: Masia’s Day 1 stunner keeps fans on edge
Masia wasted no time getting the message across, clocking the day’s fastest lap in FP1 at 1’32.541s and then maintaining top spot in FP2 with a 1’32.866s. These times underlined positive momentum for the 2025 WorldSSP standout as he eyes a strong Australian round. Bayliss worked the home advantage, finishing 0.344s off Masia on the combined sheet, signaling a potential breakthrough weekend for the rookie-turned-contender. Oettl’s experience on the Ducati Panigale V2 remains evident as he consistently sat in the top three across both sessions, with his fastest lap of 1’32.991s in FP1.
ONCU GETS UP TO SPEED: The 2026 title favorite starts with momentum, but not in the top three yet
Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) showed promising pace but dipped slightly in FP2 to P9. His 1’33.123s in FP2 nonetheless pushed him to P4 overall, just a tenth behind Oettl. Czech rider Ondrej Vostatek (Compos Racing Team) delivered a strong Day 1 showing on the Ducati Panigale V2, securing P5 with a 1’33.165s in FP1. Roberto Garcia (GMT94-YAMAHA) led the GMT94-YAMAHA duo on Monday, taking P6 thanks to a 1’33.371s lap.
CASADEI REMAINS RESILIENT: Italian rider continues to push through early setbacks
Mattia Casadei (D34G WorldSSP Racing Team) posted 1’33.441s to claim P7 overall, despite two scuffed bike trips to the boxes. Josh Whatley (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) impressed with a 1’33.459s in FP2, earning P8 and signaling a strong first full season. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) stayed consistent, taking P9 on Day 1 with a best of 1’33.612s in FP1, while Lucas Mahias (GMT94-YAMAHA) hovered in the mix and finished P10, just 0.023s behind Whatley.
ZACCONE LANDS FEET FIRST IN WORLDSSP: MotoE champion shows speed in Australia
Alessandro Zaccone (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) demonstrated the pace that earned him the 2025 MotoE title, posting 1’33.640s for P11. Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) made a notable impression in his first official test aboard the new ZXMOTO 820RR, sitting P12 with a 1’33.719s. Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) recovered from an FP1 crash and improved to 1’33.806s for P13. Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing), also transitioning from MotoE to WorldSSP, set his best at 1’33.845s to take P14, while Jacopo Cretaro (Flembbo by Racing Development) completed the top 15 with 1’33.876s.
Top six overall after Day 1
- Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 1’32.541s
- Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +0.344s
- Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.450s
- Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +0.582s
- Ondrej Vostatek (Compos Racing Team) +0.624s
- Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha) +0.830s
What’s next
The teams will refine setups and tackle more runs ahead of Day 2, building toward a competitive qualifying session. For fans wanting every twist and turn, the weekend’s action is available via the WorldSBK VideoPass.
Question to readers: With Masia showing consistency and Bayliss leveraging home-soil momentum, do you think this will be Masia’s breakout year or will Bayliss steal the limelight at his home round? Which rider’s approach surprises you most, and why?
