Whitney Motorsport Racing Completes First Pre-Season Test in Spain Ahead of 2026 BSB Campaign

Whitney Motorsport Racing has successfully wrapped up its first official pre-season testing programme as the team prepares for the 2026 British Superbike Championship. The squad headed to southern Spain, where the demanding circuits of Almería and Andalucía provided the perfect proving ground for their exciting rider lineup of talented South Africans and British racers.

Both circuits are renowned for their tight, technical layouts and relentless sequences of corners, making them an ideal environment to evaluate both machinery and rider performance. Over several days of running, the team logged an impressive number of laps, gathering valuable data while steadily building confidence ahead of the upcoming season. Despite the challenging nature of the tracks, the riders delivered encouraging pace across the board, with competitive lap times highlighting the potential within the team.

For 23-year-old Lancashire rider Max Lofthouse, who will compete in the BSB Superstock class, the Spanish outing marked an important milestone for both himself and the team.

“The Almería and Andalucía test marked a lot of firsts for both me and the team as a whole,” Lofthouse explained. “It was the first time we’ve all worked together, and it was a big relief to see that there wasn’t any friction between anyone. Spinning laps in somewhat ‘sunny’ Spain is always a pleasure, and it gave us the perfect opportunity to find a strong baseline setup to build from. Overall, it was a memorable, reassuring and optimism-inspiring trip.”

South African rider Blaze Baker, who will also contest the Superstock category, echoed those sentiments after a productive few days on track.

“We have our first test under the belt and it was a really successful one,” said Baker. “I got along really well with the team and all the boys and girls working alongside me. We managed to get a very solid base setup straight away, and I felt very comfortable on the bike. Now I’m keen to get to our second test so I can focus on being a bit more consistent with my lap times.”

Baker added that the team made the most of the favourable Spanish conditions while gathering valuable data ahead of testing back in the United Kingdom.

“We completed many laps in Spain and were lucky to have great weather, which helped us collect solid data to work with when we return to testing in the UK. The whole team is incredible and overall it was a very positive test. I’m really excited to get back on track and get the racing underway.”

Eighteen-year-old Aaron Robinson, who will compete in the BSB Sportbike class, also left Spain feeling confident about the season ahead after several productive days working with the team.

“Our time in Spain was fantastic,” Robinson said. “It was a really great opportunity to reconnect with the team and settle back into the rhythm of racing. Several solid days of riding allowed us to build a strong base setup while dialing in a few small tweaks following the winter rebuild.”

Robinson highlighted the value of the work done both on and off the track during the test.

“The work on and off the bike has paid off, and it’s great to head into the season feeling confident with a proper setup. Having a fellow South African teammate sharing the awning also made it feel a bit like home, which rounded off a productive, enjoyable and memorable trip.”

Fellow Sportbike contender Josh Froggatt from Nottinghamshire also relished the experience of riding two unfamiliar circuits during the four-day test.

“What a mind-blowing experience — four days riding at two new circuits,” Froggatt said. “The first test of the season went extremely well, with only a few minor issues that we managed to overcome. I jumped onboard the Aprilia and it felt like I hadn’t been off it.”

With the Spanish test now complete, the team’s attention turns to the next phase of preparation as the 2026 BSB season draws ever closer.

“Only a couple of weeks now until the next test,” Froggatt added, underlining the team’s eagerness to continue building momentum before the championship gets underway.

For Whitney Motorsport Racing, the successful Spanish outing represents a promising first step. With strong team chemistry, a solid base setup and encouraging pace already emerging, the foundations appear firmly in place as they gear up for what promises to be an exciting 2026 British Superbike campaign.

Picture Credits – Lewis Whitley