Jackson Racing rider Paul Jordan spins laps on World Supersport-spec Ducati at rain-hit Portimao WSBK test in Portugal
Road racer Paul Jordan took the chance for some pre-season miles at the official World Superbike test at Portimao in Portugal, where the Jackson Racing rider rode a World Supersport-spec Ducati Panigale.
The North West 200 winner joined former British Superbike champion Tommy Bridewell at the test, who rode his new Superbike Advocates Ducati Panigale V4R for the first time.
More wet weather disrupted the second winter test of 2026 after last week’s shakedown at Jerez in Spain was also hampered by rain.
Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea was also in action, taking to a damp track on Wednesday in his new role as a test rider for Honda HRC.
Despite the poor conditions, Magherafelt man Jordan had the opportunity to acquaint himself with the Italian machine as he continued his preparations for this year’s road races.
Jordan enjoyed what he described as his “best year yet” in 2025 after sealing his maiden victory at the North West 200 in the Supertwin class and finishing a fine fourth in the second Supersport race at the Isle of Man TT. He also clinched a podium in the first Supertwin TT race, finishing third.
In August, he celebrated his first success around the TT Mountain Course at the Classic TT, winning the Historic Junior race.
“I think it has been [best season of his career],” Jordan recently told the News Letter. “It hasn’t been a bad year to be fair. I still feel there’s more to come from me, which is good. I feel I’m actually starting to believe in myself.”
Only five riders from the World Superbike line-up took to the track on Wednesday due to the wet conditions, with American Garrett Gerloff fastest for Kawasaki.
Yesterday, Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega was fastest in the wet from new team-mate Iker Lecuona, who was a mere 0.039s adrift.