Castrol Honda’s Jonathan Rea got a big confidence boost by taking the fastest time during the first World Superbike test at Portimao with a best time of 1.
44.
055, which was already faster than last year’s first day of testing at the same circuit.
Jakub Smrz and the debuting Liberty team were second, followed by the 2010 champion Max Biaggi in third, which means that Biaggi is still riding a high, considering that the first day of testing for him is usually concentrated on set-ups.
Michel Fabrizio took fourth position, ahead of Tom Sykes on the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja,which could finally mean that Kawasaki could finally be a front runner this seasonRuben Xaus was ahead of Pata Racing’s Noriyuki Haga, and Aprilia factory rider Leon Camier who was eighth.
The still not completely fit Joan Lascorz was ninth with his Kawasaki, in front of Maxime Berger on the Supersonic Ducati.
Still recovering Marco Melandri who underwent shoulder surgery just before Christmas, was as expected last, and 2.
5s from Jonathan Rea.
Not taking part in this 3 day test is the factory BMW team with Leon Haslam and Troy Corser who are testing in Australia, Chris Vermeulen who is skipping the test to concentrate on his recovery and team Pedercini.