New rider-machine combinations on show at Portimao test
The Pata Racing team fielded new Aprilia signing Eugene Laverty on a works RSV4R for the first time, while BMW Motorrad Motorsport had not only a new rider in Marco Melandri, but a partial race version of their 2012 S1000RR model. Both Leon Haslam and Melandri had one new bike and one 2011 model to test in what were perfect warm and sunny conditions. Laverty ended up fastest of all after finding a good set-up even after only a few hours on the V-four machine. The new look Kawasaki Racing Team set-up featured existing 2011 riders Joan Lascorz and Tom Sykes, with Lascorz second fastest. New BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike rider Michel Fabrizio was also out, lapping alongside re-signed team rider, Ayrton Badovini, on 2011 machines.
With his new team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama not present yet Castrol Honda's Jonathan Rea has no less than four CBR1000RRs at his disposal, and he will have a new 2012 model Honda on the way sometime soon as well. He did laps on all four 2011 bikes in the garage and like many of his
peers he also tried out some new Pirelli tyre solutions. Effenbert Liberty Racing Ducati put their new rider Maxime Berger out on this big twin, and gave Canadian rider Brett McCormick track time as well.
In WSS, the Hannspree Ten Kate and Kawasaki Lorenzini by Leoni teams were present, with Lorenzini testing Sheridan Morais and Joshua Day, Ten Kate fielding Broc Parkes and Michael van Der Mark. Santiago Barragan also lapped on a Provec Motocard.com Kawasaki.
Unofficial Times (no transponders)
Superbike: 1. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) 1'42.8; 2. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) 1'42.9; 3. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) 1'42.9; 4. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) 1'43.2; 5. Maxime Berger (Effenbert Liberty Ducati) 1'43.3; 6. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) 1'43.3; 7. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike) 1'43.4; 8. Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) 1'43.7; 9. Brett McCormick (Effenbert Ducati) 1'44.2; 10. Michel Fabrizio (BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike) 1'44.4
Supersport: 1. Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Honda) 1'45.8; 2. Sheridan Morais (Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki) 1'46.0; 3. Van Der Mark (Ten Kate Honda) 1'46.5; 4. Josh Day (Lorenzini Kawasaki) 1'47.8; 5. Santiago Barragan (Provec Motocard.com Kawasaki) 1'49.1
