Kawasaki’s Superbike team didn’t use transponders during the two-day test at Jerez, but they declared that Tom Sykes lapped in 1’40.
5 on a qualifying tire and 1’41.
6 on a race tyre, which would have put him ahead of BMW’s Marco Melandri who topped yesterday’s timesheets in 1’40″758.
The team worked on suspension settings for riding in the wet and on tire life for Tom Sykes, while Loris Baz despite a small crash at turn 2, worked on the overall feeling on the front and rear.
Tom Sykes: “We have to be very happy after this test.
Yesterday we had some wet track time and for some people it was maybe not very good but for us it was very valuable.
We learned some things yesterday and also today in dry track conditions.
Eventually we had decent track conditions and we got up to speed.
We were able to test very constructively.
Both days have been very valuable and I would like to thank the team and Kawasaki because our test schedule has been very good and all the time we have been moving forward.
For this I am happy.
This circuit is quite special and for sure it is not our strong point but looking at what is on paper we are not in a bad situation.
On a race tyre we did a long run and was able to set a 1’41.
7 time after 14 laps with this tyre option.
Overall I am happy to have achieved what we have achieved and am looking forward to the next test at Phillip Island.
” Loris Baz: “It was a good test even if we missed two or three hours today after a fall.
It was a shame because we had some more things to try but we still made a big step forward and I am happy with what we found.
I had a good feeling with the race tyre and also the qualifying tyre.
I could not do a good time with a soft race tyres at the end because I did three laps on it and each time I found some other rider in front of me.
I am sure I could have made a good time and I am not so far from Tom.
Also, using a qualifying tyre it was the first time I was able to make a big improvement so I am happy with that because with only three riders on each starting row in 2013, Superpole qualifying is going to be very important.
The front end feeling we have now gives me a better way to use the good grip from the rear tyre.
I am happy to go to Phillip Island now.
”Althea Racing’s Davide Giugliano made a huge impact during the test as it was his first time on the machine and he lead the field on the first day which was wet and on the second day he was just one tenth of second slower than Melandri, and faster than the two Aprilia factory riders.
Davide Giugliano: I’m happy with how the two days of testing went here in Jerez.
It’s months since I’ve ridden a bike and I couldn’t wait to get on track with my new RSV4, with whom I immediately found a good feeling, both yesterday and today, bot in the wet and the dry.
Having clocked good lap times makes me happy, but because they are more in a short time I was able to understand the character of this bike.
There is some work to do yet and I need much more time to exploit the full potential of the RSV4, but I think I could not have a better start, thanks to my team who did a great job.
“Pata Honda riders Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam concentrated on the new electronics package that is being developed from Honda’s MotoGP project and also tested a heavily-revised swingarm for their Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade machines, together with an all-new exhaust system from Termignoni.
Jonathan Rea: “We’re not really where we want to be right now because we couldn’t get as much out of these two days as we would have liked.
Some things just can’t be fixed on site and the electronics problem we had was one of those.
The system was taking too much power away so we really needed more track time to sort that out.
However, I felt some good things, like it’s catching slides a lot more safely now, so that’s encouraging.
It’s been a frustrating test and shown us that we need more track time before the first round, but that’s coming in Australia, so we’ll hope for better luck there.
Leon Haslam: It’s been a long, tough couple of days and frustrating in a lot of ways.
We had some electronics issues and what we thought were engine braking problems.
They turned out to be a problem with the brakes themselves.
In the end, we changed the pads and threw in a random electronics package and I got maybe four or five laps towards the end of the day.
It’s been one problem after another but those last laps showed that the bike is going to be good.
It was a much needed test but ended up as a frustrating one, so I can’t wait to get back on it in Australia.
” BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team worked mainly on the chassis, comparing the 2013 bike to the 2012 version and evaluating some new parts, with Marco Melandri ending up on top of the charts on the second day of testing and confirming that he has no longer any issues with his shoulder.
Marco Melandri: “I am happy with this test.
Today was a very good day and we could work a lot.
As over the winter break I was struggling with a shoulder injury, it was not too bad that we had wet conditions yesterday because I could do some laps and train the shoulder without too much pressure.
Today was very positive and I think we are well prepared for Phillip Island.
We tested a lot of things, for example regarding electronics and got a clear understanding which direction we have to take.
Of course, there is still work to do but especially with the chassis and the electronics we made a good step.
Overall, I will head to Australia in a very confident and happy mood.
”Chaz Davies: “I am very happy.
Since the last test back in November we made really good progress.
I am starting to get a really good feeling for the bike.
I did not go to the limit today so it is good to see that the lap times were not too bad.
I am very happy about that.
The guys did a great job over winter and have made many improvements to the bike.
Also within in the crew we get not know each other better and better.
So everything is going in the right direction.
For sure, I still need more time and laps on the bike but we will do more testing in Australia and continue the progression.
”Fixi Crescent Suzuki finally got some decent time with their new-spec engine, trying out the 17’’ wheels that WSBK will be using this season and they also tested new electronic software and mapping during the final day.
New rider Jules Cluzel suffered a small crash followed by some technical issues.
Leon Camier: “I am quite happy with the way everything has gone at the test.
We had both wet and dry days, so we were able to try lots of different things.
I do feel that my riding could have improved, it felt like my timing was a little bit off, but maybe that’s just because Jerez is a completely new track for me.
I know that it’s achievable to be up there with front guys and given that we have only had half-of-a-day dry track time here at Jerez and some of the riders in-front of me were here for three days late last year, I am very positive about the performance.
It will be good to get to Australia and push the bike a bit harder, as it’s a much quicker track and we’ll be able to see what it can do there.
I’m looking forward to the season.
”Jules Cluzel: “It has been a good test in both the wet and dry conditions.
At the end of today I was able to push a bit more and understand more how the FIXI Crescent Suzuki behaves.
I really enjoyed myself and I know that I can go faster.
I did a 10-lap run today, which is my longest so far on the Superbike, this helped me be more consistent and find my reference points.
My biggest problem today was the wheelies, it’s hard to control the bike with so much power! I have learned a lot of things, but know there is more to come and I look forward to Phillip Island and improving further.
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