Suzuki’s Alex Lowes at Jerez World Superbike Test2014 Jerez World Superbike TestWorld Superbike teams began a week-long private test Monday at the Jerez Circuit in Southern Spain.
But due to heavy rains in the morning and three hours before Monday’s sessions concluded, the riders were forced to spend most of the day in the pits. When they did get out on the Jerez track, which will host WSBK in 2015, many damp patches were present.Venturing onto the track Monday were Pata Honda, Kawasaki Racing Team, Crescent Suzuki, Althea Racing Ducati, and World Supersport’s San Carlo Puccetti Racing team with three-time Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu.Leading the test was Kawasaki’s newest rider Jonathan Rea, the Ulsterman who parted ways with Pata Honda at the conclusion of 2014 World SBK. Rea posted a 1:44.643 aboard the ZX-10R Ninja. His teammate Sykes was fourth fastest, the 2013 WSBK Champion posting a 1:45.836.Crescent Suzuki’s Alex Lowes was second quickest, posting a 1:45.340 aboard the GSX-R1000. His teammate, WSBK debutant Randy de Puniet, was back in seventh.Making their debut on the Pata Honda CBR1000RR SP Fireblade super bikes were the 2014 WSBK Champion Sylvain Guintoli and the 2014 World Supersport Champion Michael van der Mark. The Supersport title holder was third fastest, and Guintoli eight.Newly-signed Althea Racing Ducati’s Nicol “Nico” Terol was out, but the team chose not to use a transponder on his 1199 Panigale R. Due to this, Terol’s times were not recorded. Joining Terol during the test were STK1000 teammates Luca Salvadori and Raffaele De Rosa.Testing for the factory Kawasaki team – San Carlo Puccetti Racing – was Kenan Sofuoglu; he was sixth fastest aboard his ZX-6R Ninja.The teams will return to Jerez Tuesday and get back to work – hopefully under dry conditions.2014 Jerez World Superbike Test Results, Monday (unofficial): 1 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) 1.44.643 2 – Alex Lowes (Suzuki) 1.45.340 3 -Michael van Mark (Honda) 1.45.472 4 -Tom Sykes 1.45.836 5 – Raffaele Da Rosa (Ducati) 1.46.092 6.-Kenan Sofuoglu (WSS) 1.46.202 7 – Randy de Puniet (Suzuki) 1.46.317 8 -Sylvain Guintoli (Honda) 1.47.650 9 – Luca Savadori 1.48.365
Our first segment introduces you to the new Arch 1s. This latest, slightly more sporting American V-twin, adds to the original KRGT1 coming from the boutique manufacturer based in Hawthorne, Southern California. Senior Editor Nic de Sena rode through Malibu with Gard Hollinger, who co-founded Arch Motorcycle with his friend, Keanu Reeves. The 1s is a unique ride for sure, and Nic explains what makes the bike really stand out.
For the entertaining story behind Arch Motorcycle from Gard Hollinger himself, you must listen to his podcast episode on Motos & Friends HERE
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The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Thom Beers, the former Chairman & CEO of Fremantle Media North America, responsible for American Idol and America’s Got Talent. Thom’s astonishing resume as a Producer, Director, and actor, includes narrating many, many of the shows he’s created.
His fertile imagination led to most of the really big reality TV shows, and of course for us in the motorcycle world, you’ll be interested to hear the genesis and story behind his Jesse James show, ‘Monster Garage’, as well as the ‘Biker Build Off’ and ‘Zombie Choppers’ TV shows. Teejay’s chat with Thom gives us some amazing insight into other areas of Thom’s career, including ‘Deadliest Catch’ and others.
You’d imagine that most of Thom’s time is spent sitting behind a desk and on his phone. Not so. His intense stories of capturing much of the content for these shows make for some hair-raising listening. I for one, was fascinated; I hope you are too.
