Supersport, Jerez test: how did Aegerter's debut on the Kawasaki go?

There was great anticipation for Aegerter’s debut on the Ninja ZX-6R 636: here’s the story of his test at Jerez.

On the Andalusian circuit the spotlight was mainly on the Superbike riders, but several World Supersport teams were also in action. Among them was the Kawasaki WorldSSP Team, with the confirmed Jeremy Alcoba and the new arrival Dominique Aegerter. For the latter it’s a return to the category, after years spent in SBK with the GYTR GRT Yamaha team. A big move by Manuel Puccetti, given he’s an experienced rider who dominated and won the SSP title in 2020 and 2021. Back then he rode the Ten Kate Yamaha R6; now he wants to try winning again with the Ninja ZX-6R 636, certainly a tougher mission.

Of the Supersport riders present at Jerez Test, Alcoba was the fastest with a best time of 1'42.167. Aegerter finished fourth, setting his best lap in 1'43.492. The Swiss rider was racing the Kawasaki for the first time, and it was also his return to the track, having missed the last two rounds of the 2025 Superbike World Championship due to injury. Over the two days of testing he completed over 130 laps, working to adapt both to the new team and to the Ninja ZX-6R 636.

After three years on the Yamaha R1 in SBK, it was perfectly normal not to be immediately competitive with the Green Machine. Even though Aegerter is an experienced rider, there was a lot that was new for him: "I needed a few laps to get used to riding a Supersport again. It wasn’t that easy to switch back from WorldSBK to WorldSSP; I needed a few laps to adapt to the engine, the braking points, and the lines. They’re quite different. The feeling with the team was great; everyone is new to me. First of all, you have to build some rapport and trust with them. We need to see how they work, how I work, what I must adapt in my riding style to the bike, and what they can change on the bike to adapt it to me."

The two-time SSP world champion also points out he was coming back from an injury, a detail not to be overlooked: "After six or seven weeks off the bike due to a fractured metacarpal in my hand, I felt a bit stiff in the morning. But it was positive to have a test now in November, because there are many things to do. Now we have data to work with. For me, this test was positive. Now I’m looking forward to training at home, taking a short break, and then being fully motivated and ready for 2026. I’ll give it my all."

Aegerter knows he faces a tough challenge, but he aims to succeed with the Kawasaki WorldSSP Team as well. If he’s at 100% physically, he will certainly be one to watch during the championship. Alcoba finished eighth in the 2025 overall standings, his rookie year in the category, with two podiums in total. In 2026 the bar will inevitably be raised in the box managed by Manuel Puccetti.