Alberto Sula, a newcomer to the World Superbike (World SBK) series, missed the initial two races of the season due to rainy conditions and now faces a challenging test at Phillip Island. During January’s World Superbike tests at Jerez (January 21-22) and Portimao (January 28-29), heavy rain impacted all four days. The Portimao sessions, in particular, were notably wet, meaning Sula—and his Motocorsa team, who, like other Ducati satellite teams, didn’t test at Jerez at the end of 2025—had limited dry track time on the Panigale V4 R ahead of nearly three weeks of racing in Australia scheduled from February 20th to 22nd.
Despite the weather challenges, the 21-year-old remained optimistic after finishing the second day in Portugal as the fifth fastest rider, just under two seconds behind Nicolo Brega. “I’m very happy,” Sula told WorldSBK.com after that session. “The bike felt really good in rainy conditions. Now, the next step is the Phillip Island test. I’m very pleased with the two days at Jerez and the two at Portimao.”
Sula’s goals for the rainy Phillip Island test are simple but hopeful, especially considering Australia’s strong reputation as a racing venue. Regarding the upcoming challenge, he commented, “It’s important to ride the bike in dry conditions and fine-tune the settings.” This season marks his full step up to World Superbike after competing in the Moto2 European Championship and WorldSSP class in 2025, though since Magny-Cours he has only raced in WorldSSP.
Having significant experience with the Bosco Scuro Moto2 bike he started racing with in 2024, Sula has noted the differences between the WorldSBK-spec Ducati and the Ducati he rode in WorldSSP last year. “Moto2 and superbikes are very different. The V4 is a very complete bike with engine braking and electronics, which Moto2 lacks,” he explained. “I feel good.”
Fan Take: This update on Alberto Sula highlights the challenges rookies face adapting to World Superbike machinery and varying track conditions, underlining just how critical testing and weather factors are in preparation. For racing fans, Sula’s progress and positive outlook signal exciting potential for fresh talent to shake up the grid in the 2026 season.
