2014 Jerez World Superbike Test
World 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
