Almeria and Sepang have hosted tests for many of Kawasaki’s supported riders recently, with the Pedercini crews at Sepang and the Lorenzini by Leoni and Provec Motocard.com WSS teams riding in Spain. The Almeria tests have just been completed by Broc Parkes and David Salom, each taking another important step forward in development, with Parkes reaching a new track best for the team with a 1’37.3. Salom, despite suffering from illness and having to cut short his testing times, was almost as quick as Broc, with a 1’37.7 lap. Fast times like these have already filled the whole team with confidence as they head to Portimao for the Infront Motorsports official tests, between 26 and 28 January. The Spanish-based Provec Motocard.com team worked on suspension and electronics for the most part at Almeria, and also on developing a plan of work to take to the Portimao tests. Weather conditions stayed dry for all the riders at Almeria with the second day proving a bit cloudier than the first, and therefore cooler. For the Lorenzini by Leoni teams, in WSS and Superstock, this test was a major-shakedown before the season gets underway. New signing Vittorio Iannuzzo lapped on his Ninja ZX-6R using the same settings as Fabien Foret used in WSS in 2010, before working to set the machine up for his own style. Sheridan Morais and Lorenzo Savadori explored the limits on their Superstock 1000 FIM Cup Ninja ZX-10R machinery, and found a good balance to use in real race situations. The Pedercini riders enjoyed last week’s tests at a sweltering Sepang, with Roby Rolfo riding the Superbike version of the Ninja ZX-10R and no fewer than three Superstock riders, Bryan Staring, Marco Bussolotti and Leandro Mercado, all sharing track time. WSBK and WSS riders are all competing in the first round of their respective championship in Australia on February 27, but a bonus for all in the Pedercini team is that Bryan Staring will also compete in the Phillip Island World Superbike race. This gives the well-respected Australian Superbike Champion the chance to shine at his home event, long before his own Superstock season starts. It will also be a real boost for the local Aussie fans to see him in action against the world’s best on home ground. Roby Rolfo: “The whole Sepang test has been great for me. It was very important to work with my new team and I’m very happy because I found immediately a good feeling with all of them. I now feel fully part of the team. The new Kawasaki bike is at the beginning of its development, but we worked really hard on the bike here in Sepang and it’s just going to get better and better. There is still lots to be done but the outcome is already very good. Considering it’s at a very early stage of development, I think it’s a fantastic package. I’m really looking forward to next test in Phillip Island to be able to start the 2011 Superbike championship in the best possible way.” Broc Parkes: “We got some things really worked out for this test and we went very well. We were under the team’s previous best at this track, which I think was set by Joan last year. We have improved the bike quite a bit, the whole package, and some new electronics. I think that was quite a big step to get sorted. David was a bit sick today and finished a little early, but it is great for us all that he has been really on the pace. We are working well together and I think that is important because it lets us go forward each time we ride.” David Salom: “I am happy because the tests went well even if I felt a bit sick and had to stop a little early. We are getting faster and faster, and more consistent, which is what we need. I am really happy about the way things are going for us.”