A full week of testing at Jerez for WSBK teams
Riders and teams back on track before the winter break.
Next week the Jerez Circuit in Southern Spain will host a week full of testing for the eni FIM Superbike World Championship teams, for what will be their last chance of the year to get some useful track time in preparation for the 2015 series.
Given the changes in the rider line up of many teams, and the new technical regulations becoming effective next year, this week of testing represents an interesting opportunity for a first overview of the new bikes, riders and partnerships for the upcoming season.
After a productive two-day test at MotorLand Aragon earlier this week, the factory efforts of Kawasaki and Ducati will be back on track with their regular riders in order to continue the development of their new models.
The 2015 version of the 1199 Panigale R has already proved to be competitive in the hands of Davide Giugliano and Chaz Davies, while the new KRT duo of Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea had to deal with a different type of work aboard their respective machines. The former World Champion mainly focused on finding initial development for the Ninja ZX-10R in 2015 guise, while the Ulsterman got to grips with his new bike and team. Three-time WSS Champion Kenan Sofuoglu will also continue his work with the San Carlo Puccetti Racing Team after having evaluated two different versions of the ZX-6R on Monday and Tuesday.
The Pata Honda World Superbike Team will head to Jerez with their pairing of World Champions, Sylvain Guintoli and Michael van der Mark, while Aprilia’s new factory effort in WorldSBK, the Red Devils Roma Team will show up at the Andalusian venue with the already signed Leon Haslam. The Briton will be joined this time out by Michel Fabrizio as the Italian rider (who scored a podium for Red Devils in Australia last year) returns to test the new RSV4 RR, hoping for a full-time ride next season.
Back on track after a successful two-day test at Valencia is the all new Althea Racing Team Ducati duo of former 125cc World Champion Nicolas ‘Nico’ Terol and Italian Matteo Baiocco, who are going to ride the 2015 version of the 1199 Panigale R for the first time.
The Crescent Suzuki squad is also heading to Jerez with Alex Lowes, about to start his second season with the squad, and new recruit Randy de Puniet. The BMW Motorrad Italia team with Frenchman Sylvain Barrier will also be in attendance along with Jules Cluzel and the new MV Agusta riders for both the WSBK and WSS side, who will be announced early next week.
This is the schedule for next week’s private testing at Jerez
24-25 Nov: Kawasaki Racing Team – San Carlo Puccetti Racing (Sofuoglu) – Pata Honda World Superbike – Crescent Suzuki – Red Devils Roma – Althea Racing Team
26-28 Nov: Ducati Superbike Team - MV Agusta Reparto Corse
27-28 Nov: Kawasaki Racing Team – Pata Honda World Superbike – BMW Motorrad Italia – Crescent Suzuki
