2011 World Superbike
The recovering Chris Vermeulen had his first outing on the 2011 World Superbike Kawasaki ZX-10R at Sepang on Monday. He reported feeling good, but to be fully fit for the 2011 World Superbike season, Vermeulen is restarting his exercise program at home in Australia.
Vermeulen is in an intense physiotherapy and exercise regime to allow him to recover full flex in his right knee joint, before taking his all-new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R on track again.
The Sepang Superbike sessions continue in a positive direction for Kawasaki Racing Team, with Vermeulen’s teammates Tom Sykes and Joan Lascorz carrying on as scheduled until the final day, Friday Jan. 14.
Sykes and Lascorz have been working hard again on Thursday after taking a scheduled rest day on Wednesday, setting good lap times and trying out several different set-up options on the impressive new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.
To make sure Vermeulen is fit for the final official pre-season Superbike tests at Phillip Island on Feb. 21 and 22, shortly before the first race on Sunday Feb. 27, he will not return to Europe for the official IMS tests at the end of January in Portimao.
Paul Risbridger (Kawasaki Team Manager) says: "Chris rode on day one of the Sepang tests and was very impressed with the performance of the new bike. Vermeulen has made great progress with his knee recently, and his recovery is well on schedule.
"After day one we all decided that he did not need to run on track any more at this stage and it was better for him to go home and carry on with his rehabilitation. We also came to a consensus that there was no point in him coming all the way back to Europe for the Portimao superbike tests, as it would just interrupt his overall recovery.
"Riding the Kawasaki is not assisting his recuperation at this stage, so Chris will carry on with his very effective programme of physiotherapy and exercise so that he is ready when it matters most, at the start of the new season."
