Phillip Island, Australia – Kawasaki’s ambitious return to the forefront of the Supersport World Championship has encountered a significant hurdle even before the season’s start. Two-time World Champion Dominique Aegerter endured a challenging first test day at Phillip Island, finishing second-to-last in combined times, raising concerns about the team’s preparedness for the opening race.
Kawasaki is aiming to recapture the glory days of Kenan Sofuoglu, a triple Supersport World Champion who dominated the category from 2012 to 2016 with the ZX-6R. The Japanese manufacturer introduced a new 636cc homologation model in 2025, with Jeremy Alcoba achieving two podium finishes and an eighth-place overall finish in his rookie season. For 2026, Kawasaki doubled down on its commitment, signing Aegerter, a proven winner with 27 race victories to his name, hoping to reignite their championship aspirations.
However, initial testing suggests a considerable amount of work remains. Team Principal Manuel Puccetti stated during the winter that failing to win the championship would be a disappointment, a sentiment that now appears increasingly ambitious given the early results. The first test session on Monday morning saw Aegerter and Alcoba in 14th and 19th positions respectively, but conditions worsened in the afternoon, dropping them to 22nd and 27th. Aegerter finished a staggering 2.420 seconds behind fastest qualifier Jaume Masia (Orelac Ducati) in the 28-rider field, placing him second-to-last.
“This was our first dry test and we are not yet ready to go speedy,” Aegerter told SPEEDWEEK.com at the Phillip Island paddock. He acknowledged that the significant deficit to the frontrunners would be difficult to overcome before the first race of the season. Aegerter identified weaknesses across all areas of the motorcycle, despite noting positive grip levels.
“It’s good that we have grip, but everyone else does too,” Aegerter said with a touch of gallows humor. “Many small things are preventing me from going fast. I gave everything and was second to last – that’s crazy. It’s not just down to me. The team is working on it.”
The struggles highlight the challenges Kawasaki faces in bringing their new program up to speed. The team is banking on Aegerter’s experience and championship pedigree to elevate the ZX-6R’s performance, but the initial test results suggest a steep learning curve ahead.
Kawasaki’s return to prominence in the Supersport World Championship hinges on rapid development and a successful adaptation to the demands of the competitive series. The team will need to address the identified weaknesses swiftly to challenge for podiums and the title.
What comes next for the Kawasaki team is a period of intense analysis and development. The focus will be on understanding the issues hindering Aegerter and Alcoba’s performance and implementing solutions before the season opener. The team is scheduled for further testing in late November at Jerez, as reported by Dominique Aegerter’s official website, providing a crucial opportunity to make progress.
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