On track action begins with the first private tests of 2014
As the 2014 World Superbike season approaches, some of the WSBK teams back on track to continue their preparation
With the testing ban officially over, the eni FIM Superbike World Championship teams are ready for action in preparation for the 2014 season. All the top teams are set to hit the track, with last year’s championship winning squad, the Kawasaki Racing Team, to share the Almeria circuit with Voltcom Crescent Suzuki in a two-day private test starting tomorrow.
Reigning World Superbike Champion Tom Sykes is eager to jump on his beloved Kawasaki ZX-10R after a tremendously successful year, with Loris Baz again on his side, while 2013 runner-up Eugene Laverty and current BSB Champion Alex Lowes will follow their testing programme to take the GSX-R to a new level of performance and results.
Voltcom Suzuki will then move to one of the favourite destinations of the WSBK teams for the first test of the year, the Autodromo International do Algarve, at Portimao. The Portuguese venue will see Pata Honda WSBK riders Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam, and Aprilia Racing Team’s Marco Melandri – together with test rider Alex Hofmann – on track for three days. Other works Aprilia rider, Sylvain Guintoli, will not take part in the test, as he is still recovering from the shoulder injury after another operation he underwent recently.
The new Ducati Superbike Team outfit with riders Davide Giugliano and Chaz Davies will approach the spectacular Portimao circuit on Friday for a 4-day test that will help to evaluate new components developed for the Ducati 1199 Panigale R during winter. World Superbike rookie Claudio Corti (MV Agusta Reparto Corse – Yakhnich Motorsport) will get a first taste of the full-Superbike version of the F4 RR during the same days as many World Supersport riders will also be on track.
Here is the list of teams and riders testing at Portimao, Almeria and Jerez:
AIA, Portimao (Portugal) January 2014
Day 16-18
Aprilia: Melandri, Hofmann (tester)
Pata Honda: Rea, Haslam; vd Mark, Zanetti
Ten Kate Racing Products: Praia (STK tester)
Day 19-20
Voltcom Suzuki: Laverty, A. Lowes
MV Augusta YMS: Corti; Cluzel, Leonov
Mahi Kawasaki: Foret (TBC); Sofuoglu
PTR Honda: Kennedy, Perez; Wilairot
DMC Lorenzini: Coughlan, Ivanov
Day 17-20
Ducati: Giugliano, Davies
Circuito de Almeria (Spain) January 2014
Day 16-17
Kawasaki Racing Team: Sykes, Baz; D. Salom (EVO tester)
Voltcom Suzuki: Laverty, A. Lowes
Team Puccetti: Tamburini (until Jan, 21st)
Circuito de Jerez (Spain) February 2014
Day 5-6
Kawasaki Racing Team: Sykes, Baz; D. Salom (EVO tester)
Pata Honda: Rea, Haslam; vd Mark, Zanetti
Team Pedercini: Andreozzi (EVO), Aitchison (EVO tester TBC); Savadori, Lanousse, Nemeth (STK)
