WorldSSP 2026 1 2026-02-21 2026-02-21 The 2026 FIM Supersport World Championship season officially ignites at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for an 18-lap battle against the clock and the tires. The primary challenge remains the circuit's abrasive surface and the relentless high-speed left-handers, which push the Pirelli rear tires to their absolute thermal limit. The objective for pole-sitter Jaume Masia is to translate his pre-season testing dominance into a maiden victory for the Orelac Racing VerdNatura squad. Strategically, the race is expected to be a game of tire management and slipstreaming. The goal for the front-runners is to break the tow early on the Gardner Straight, while riders like Can Öncü and Philipp Oettl look to leverage their experience to stay within striking distance for a late-race attack. The tactical focus for the Australian fans is squarely on Oli Bayliss, who seeks to break a long podium drought on home soil. With a diverse grid featuring the debut of the ZXMOTO 820RR, the ultimate goal is to survive the high-speed chaos of the opening laps and claim the first 25 points of the new era. 2464684