Team Test
Circuito de Jerez, Spain
January 27, 2016
Unofficial Best Lap Times (as supplied by Circuito de Jerez):
World Superbike:
1. Tom Sykes, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:39.924
2. Davide Giugliano, Italy (Duc Panigale R), 1:40.047
3. Chaz Davies, UK (Duc Panigale R), 1:40.110
4. Nicky Hayden, USA (Hon CB1000RR), 1:40.534
5. Michael vd Mark, Netherlands (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:40.601
6. Xavi Fores, Spain (Duc Panigale R), 1:40.761
7. Jonathan Rea, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:40.856
8. Sylvain Guintoli, France (Yam YZF-R1), 1:41.018
9. Alex Lowes, UK (Yam YZF-R1), 1:41.361
10. Josh Brookes, Australia (BMW S1000RR), 1:41.826
11. Leon Camier, UK (MV Agusta F4-RR), 1:42.182
12. Karel Abraham, Czech Republic (BMW S1000RR), 1:42.628
13. Sylvain Barrier, France (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:42.886
14. Christophe Ponsson, France (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:44.993
15. Saeed Al Sulaiti, Qatar (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:45.007
World Supersport:
1. Kenan Sofuoglu, Turkey (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:43.091
2. Randy Krummenacher, Switzerland (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:43.582
3. Lorenzo Zanetti, Italy (MV Agusta F3 675), 1:44.278
4. Jules Cluzel, France (MV Agusta F3 675), 1:44.802
5. Ilya Mihalchick, Ukraine (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:44.938
6. Zulfahmi Khairuddin, Malaysia (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:45.637
7. Nacho Calero, Spain (Kaw ZX-6R), 1:46.309
Superstock 1000:
1. Leandro “Tati” Mercado, Argentina (Duc Panigale R), 1:42.641
2. Mike Rinaldi, Italy (Duc Panigale R), 1:42.969
3. Jeremy Guarnoni, France (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:44.044
British Superbike:
1. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:42.442
2. Peter Hickman, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:43.420
3. Leon Haslam, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), no time recorded
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team makes further progress ahead of its official debut in Australia
After the first tests of 2016 in Portimão last week, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team carried on with its program with two days on track in Jerez de la Frontera, the last ones before flying to Australia for the season opener.
Davide Giugliano and Chaz Davies clocked 110 and 126 laps respectively on the Panigale R, moving forward with the development in its 2016 specifications. Once again, the team focused its work on chassis and electronics. In particular, it evaluated different weight distributions and software configurations to optimize consistency in race setups, with positive feedback from both riders. Giugliano and Davies then performed a time-attack towards the end of the session to regain confidence with qualifying tyres.
The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team will be back on track on February 22-23 in Phillip Island (Australia) for the traditional tests on the eve of the season opener.
Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #34), 1’40.047
“I’m definitely happy. Since yesterday, my team managed to gradually tailor the bike to my needs and allowed me to make a step forward compared with Portimão. We worked a lot with used tyres to solve some issues I had in the past. It was important to adopt this approach. To be able to get back to the level I was used to, after such a long break and only four days of testing, gives me confidence.”
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #7), 1’40.110
“In these past couple of days, we were able to focus on fine-tuning the chassis and electronics. My feeling with the 2016 bike is already quite good and, compared with the tests we did here in Jerez last November, we’ve made a big step forward. I managed to stay close to the top riders with qualifying tyres, which has never been my strongest suit, while we were the fastest on race tyres. I go home tired but very happy.”
Ernesto Marinelli – Superbike Project Director
“After last week’s tests in Portimão, it was important to confirm our progress on a different track such as Jerez. We focused on consistency with a race setup, working on both the chassis and the new electronic controls to maximize our performance with used tyres. Also, we evaluated several new front and rear solutions brought by Pirelli, with positive results. Now we are only a few weeks away from debuting in Phillip Island but, given the good work we’ve put in, we confidently await the start of the season.”
More, from a press release issued by Honda Pro Racing:
Confidence boost for Hayden and van der Mark after final European test at Jerez
The last pre-season private test has come to an end for the Honda World Superbike Team, who now head confidently towards the start of the 2016 FIM Superbike World Championship campaign. At Jerez de la Frontera, both Nicky Hayden and Michael van der Mark worked hard to continue with the development of the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP, which has received several updates – including important engine upgrades.
Hayden once again completed an impressive number of laps (159) while trying a new swingarm, for more stability, and a different linkage to improve braking and acceleration. On the second day of action, the experienced American had a small crash at Turn 2 from which he escaped unharmed, although the incident cost him some valuable track time. In the closing stages, he also went for a quick-lap on qualifying tyres, which resulted in a 1:40.534 lap time – the 4th fastest overall.
After missing one day of testing last November due to a tenosynovitis in his right wrist, Van der Mark returned to Jerez in full fitness, following the minor surgery he underwent several weeks ago. The 2014 World Supersport Champion and the team tested different front geometries on Tuesday, while today they turned their attention to the rear of the bike. The 23-year-old Dutchman amassed a total of 156 laps and showed great speed on qualifying rubber, clocking in 1’40.601 around the 4.423 Km (2.748 mile) Andalusian circuit.
The track-time available to all teams was reduced by the foggy conditions encountered in the morning of both days, while damp patches on the track further delayed the start of on-track activities.
The team now return to their headquarters in the Netherlands to analyse data gathered at Jerez and finalise preparations for the journey to Phillip Island, Australia, the venue hosting both the official two-day test (22-23 February) and the opening round of the 2016 FIM Superbike World Championship (26-28 February).
Nicky Hayden: “It hasn’t been the perfect day, because the fog cost us a couple of hours in the morning and we had to squeeze the testing program in a shorter amount of time. It’s a shame because there are still some things left to try and, of course, that time would have been useful for me too, but we did what we could. I was able to do a race simulation and to use the qualifying tyre and in the end, the lap-time was not too bad. There is still room for improvement. The winter season went too quick and the weather did not help, but now it is time for Phillip Island and I look forward to having some fun!”
Michael van der Mark: “Today we started quite late because of the fog, but once we got on track we began trying many things, working mainly on the bike geometries. We had some difficulties in choosing the right tyre for these temperatures, but eventually we found the good one. From then we tried a couple of things on another swingarm plus some more adjustments, and every change resulted in more little steps forward. At the end, the bike was feeling very good at the rear, and we found some more grip, which is what we were looking for. I was able to drop half a second with race tyres but I feel we could have done a little better with the qualifier, as I made some small mistakes. Overall I am very happy with how things went today.”
Pieter Breddels – technical manager: “In the end it has been a very positive test, all went quite smoothly and we were able to make another step forward in terms of performance. The new engine upgrades proved to be good for both riders, who were not too far from the front with both qualifying and race tyres. Nicky did an impressive long run of fifteen laps with very good pace and Michael showed great speed despite having missed some track time last time out at Jerez. We now head to Phillip Island in a positive mood.”
More, from a press release issued by Pata Yamaha:
Pata Yamaha Wraps Up Pre-season WorldSBK Testing at Jerez
Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team concluded its final European pre-season test at the Circuito de Jerez, in Spain, today with Sylvain Guintoli and Alex Lowes both satisfied with the progress made with their YZF-R1’s.
Hampered by thick fog for the initial hours of both Tuesday and Wednesday’s track time, Lowes and Guintoli made the most of the subsequent good weather setting 102 and 116 laps respectively across the two days. The Frenchman set his fastest time of 1:41.018 on his penultimate revolution, his British teammate’s 1:41.361 laid down five laps from the close of play.
Evaluating a raft of new settings and parts, including swingarm, suspension, engine specifications and electronics, the Pata Yamaha team are confident of the advancements made and understandings gained throughout the past four days on track and will look to continue the progression back at its German and UK bases.
Lowes and Guintoli now have their sights firmly set on the start of the 2016 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, as the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team prepares to travel to Australia ready for the official championship test at Phillip Island on Monday 22nd February.
Sylvain Guintoli
“It’s gone well! We’ve completed everything we wanted to do, to test and to explore. We’ve focused on various things including carrying on working with the new swingarm, riding position, back-shifting, engine-brake strategies, new forks and different configurations within them, and traction control, so we’ve done a lot! We have a lot more experience with the YZF-R1 now, a lot more of an understanding, so now we just have to take this with us to Australia and carry on the good work!”
Alex Lowes
“We have a lot still to do but it’s been a good two days. We have been working through everything including front and rear feeling, and a lot of work on electronics – trying to get a better understanding of the YZF-R1 and its engine character. I was limited with my shoulder so I couldn’t push too much but I enjoyed it and hopefully we can improve quite a bit before Phillip Island.”
Paul Denning ? Team Principal
“These additional two days in Jerez have been very important for the Yamaha WorldSBK project – with a new bike, new riders and a new project every lap is a benefit. We’ve really learnt a lot and we have to thank the technical team at Yamaha Motor Europe and the Crescent squad for their dedication and hard work in getting us ready to start the season.
“Sylvain did a very consistent job getting through a huge programme of test items and remaining extremely precise and steady which is incredibly important for the development of the bike. When a rider is that consistent it generally means there is something left in the pocket in terms of performance so we are looking forward to getting to Australia now and seeing Sylvain more in race mode than test mode and taking the next steps.
“For Alex every lap has been a bonus – considering the extent of his shoulder injury – and it was as affected here in Jerez as it was in Portimão, restricting him to short runs and limited laps in general. Despite that, Alex has done an incredible job, he’s given the team excellent and accurate information and his own understanding of the YZF-R1 has increased dramatically over these January tests. Alex didn’t run a qualifying tyre and his pace on the race tyres , despite the injury, was less than half a second away from the fastest, so when we consider the state of his shoulder we are quietly confident that we can be closer again when it’s time to go racing.”
More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki Motors Europe:
Sykes And Rea Take Positive Strides On New Ninja ZX-10R
Tom Sykes (KRT) secured the fastest time of a two-day test at Jerez in Spain after a strong showing of overall pace. His team-mate Jonathan Rea took the seventh best time, as the reigning champion worked on optimising the base set-up of the new Ninja ZX-10R in readiness for the new WorldSBK season.
The track conditions at this test did not replicate the grippier ones the team found in their previous Jerez outing in November. Despite this relative lack of grip Sykes managed to be the only rider from the 27 present who got inside the 1’39 bracket with his 1’39.924, achieved after using a qualifying rear tyre.
Rea, who did not use a qualifying rear, still set a best lap time of 1’40.856. He continued to experiment to find his ideal base setting on the new Ninja ZX-10R, which he and Sykes both rode in the recent global launch of the new Kawasaki showroom model in Malaysia.
Sykes has settled into the on-track groove of the new Ninja ZX-10R WorldSBK machine comfortably from the first tests. At this Jerez test concentrated on reconfirming the choice of some items that were settled on before the winter break.
Rea did not make a long run at this test, preferring to make lots of laps on used tyres, as he and his crew evaluated different chassis settings and engine characteristics.
A damp track surface to start on day one and fog early on day two held back the overall lap count for all riders at Jerez but conditions improved to ensure a productive period of work in the sunny afternoon sessions. Sykes managed to put in 126 laps and Rea 122 across the two days.
The entire KRT squad will now move right across Spain to make their final European winter tests at the Motorland Aragon circuit, between 3 and 4 February. The first races of the year take place in over final weekend of February, under the new format of one race on Saturday and the second on Sunday.
Tom Sykes stated: “All smiles round here because basically we have changed a lot of settings, exploring more parameters with the new bike. We have a good opportunity to explore many things. All credit to Marcel and Danilo and all the mechanics because they are working overtime and I am just riding the bike. It is confirmation of what we have developed in previous years that we have done a good job because this new bike is the ‘baby’ from those years. It is working well for both riders and Kawasaki has done a great job. There are still areas where I want to improve both the bike and me but to come away from both winter tests in Jerez fastest is good, because it is not my strongest circuit. This adds to the excitement and motivation for the coming season on the new Ninja ZX-10R.”
Jonathan Rea stated: “It is clear that the new bike has been developed more for another riding style and it asks you to ride in a certain way. So we are still exploring exactly how to extract the best out of the bike and we have changed many things. It was clear that when we arrived here the track grip level was much worse than the last time, so it required a little bit of a different set-up. Our testing philosophy this winter – testing big items and not getting carried away with the set-up – has really made sense here. It was the same track, same part of the world but a different character this time. We had a new fork specification to try and a different engine character. We are just using the tools in the toolbox now and understanding more about the new Ninja ZX-10R. We have been working calmly and methodically and if the starting lights went out at Jerez tomorrow we would not be seventh.”
Marcel Duinker, Tom Sykes’ Crew Chief, stated: “Tom used a Q tyre for the fastest lap and it seems the track was not the same as it was in the November tests. We need to be fast and consistent in any condition and we did a lot of our job during the test in November. When we finished that we gave our package its shape so here it was a matter of trying out small test items and polishing our bike to prepare ourselves for the season opener. We are ready to go to Phillip Island now but we have another two days at Motorland Aragon, a different type of track, where we can confirm our pace and consistency.”
Pere Riba, Jonathan Rea’s Crew Chief, stated: “Winter time is to understand the bike and its reactions to changes and different situations. It gives the rider time to understand different things and time for us to follow our test plan. This is a new bike and there are still important points that we are looking to understand it more, to find out what the best base point is. This also relates to the track grip and these two days have been useful because the grip this time was not so good. That lets us understand how to make improvements in case we have these conditions in the real race. We have been working with tyres that have done over 20 laps just to comprehend where we are. We did not make a long run, a race simulation, but we did many laps. The important thing is to arrive in Phillip Island for round one with a good package in many different situations.”