2014 Private Aragon SBK Testing
The factory Kawasaki and Ducati World Superbike teams wrapped up a two-day private test Tuesday at Motorland Aragon.
Under sunny and warm conditions, the two factory teams that will without a doubt be top competitors in 2015 World Superbike were able to gather precious data just weeks after the season finale at Qatar.
Setting the quickest time was Ducati Team’s Davide Giugliano on the Panigale 1199 R. After completing 49 laps, he finished with a best time of 1:50.2 – the fastest of both days. The Italian’s teammate, Chaz Davies, was second quickest, a mere 0.3 of a second off his teammate’s time.
Both Ducati riders evaluated the 2015 1199, which differs slightly from the 2014 Panigale R.
Speaking after the test, Giugliano says “We managed to set good times over a single lap but this was not the goal of our test. We mainly worked on our race pace and I feel there is still a lot to do before the start of the season.
“We were quick straight out of the box because chassis wise our bike is very close to the one we used last year, while other teams have to make bigger changes. I feel really good on the Panigale and I’m looking forward to getting back on track at Jerez next week.”
The 2013 World Superbike Champion Tom Sykes spent the day evaluating new parts on his ZX-10R that will be used in 2015 SBK. He and new teammate Jonathan Rea, who rode for Pata Honda in 2014, worked on tweaking suspension settings while optimizing a the ZX-10R’s new electronic system.
Sykes finished the test with a quickest lap of 1:51.2, and Rea a 1:51. 1. Rea crashed just before noon, but returned to testing two hours later uninjured.
Also on the track was three-time World Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu testing two different versions of the ZX-6R Ninja for the new San Carlo Puccetti Racing team – the Kawasaki factory team. He was joined by Italian Supersport Champion Stefano Cruciani.
World SBK says the new ZX-6R will be the starting point for winter development, which comprises a significant ten-day overall testing schedule before round 1.
Spaniard Jordi Torres also was present, and had a chance to try out the EVO-spec version of the ZX-10R – that won the EVO title in 2014 with David Salom – as part of the Media Test organized by the Kawasaki Racing Team.
Winter testing continues for the Ducati Superbike Team next week, with the Italian squad taking to the Spanish circuit of Jerez November 26-28.
2014 Private Aragon World Superbike Testing Results, Day 2 (unofficial):
1. Davide Gugliano 1’50.2
2. Chaz Davies 1’50.5
3. Jonathan Rea 1’51.1
4. Tom Sykes 1’51.2
5. Kenan Sofuoglu 1’54.3
