FIM Superbike World Championship Test

Circuito de Jerez, Spain

January 27, 2015

Unofficial Day Two Test Times (courtesy of Dorna WSBK, all on Pirelli tires):

1. Davide Giugliano, Italy (Duc 1199 Panigale R), 1:39.332, crash

2. Tom Sykes, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:39.694

3. Jonathan Rea, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:39.745

4. Chaz Davies, UK (Duc 1199 Panigale R), 1:40.062, crash

5. Leon Haslam, UK (Apr RSV4 Factory), 1:40.069

6. Alex Lowes, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:40.159

7. Michael van der Mark, Netherlands (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:40.590

8. Nico Terol, Spain (Duc 1199 Panigale R), 1:40.765

9. Randy De Puniet, France (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:40.977, crashed twice

10. Matteo Baiocco, Italy (Duc 1199 Panigale R), 1:41.412

11. Jordi Torres, Spain (Apr RSV4 Factory), 1:41.983

12. Sylvain Barrier, France (BMW S1000RR), 1:42.004

13. David Salom, Spain (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:42.184

14. Leandro Mercado, Argentina (Duc Panigale R), 1:42.577

15. Niccolo Canepa, Italy (EBR 1190RX), 1:42.743

16. Larry Pegram, USA (EBR 1190RX), 1:46.996

17. Sylvain Guintoli, France (Hon CBR1000RR), no time recorded

More, from a press release issued by Team EBR Hero:

TEAM HERO EBR DELIGHTED WITH THEIR PROGRESS.

Team Hero EBR riders Larry Pegram and Niccolo Canepa completed two days of testing at Jerez, delighted with the progress made and are now looking forward to the next tests in Phillip Island on 16-17th March. The weather conditions were ideal and the team were able to put in over 200 laps and try many different ideas throughout the two days.

Niccolo went almost a second faster than he did in last year’s race in Jerez and his best lap was also three seconds quicker than the Hero EBR at the Spanish circuit. It was team manager Larry Pegram’s first visit to Jerez and so he had to spend some time learning the 4.423 kilometre circuit and made good progress until some technical issues prevented him from putting in many laps on the second day.

Larry Pegram

“After Portimao, it was good to have some decent weather and for us to be able to put in the laps. I am happy because I feel that we have made significant progress over these two days and I think we are way ahead of where we were at the same stage last year. I have really enjoyed Jerez. It’s very different to Portimao and easier to learn for sure. One thing I have to get used to in Europe is to use the kerbs. In USA, you cannot use the kerbs because they are painted in some kind of paint that is very slippery. Here I followed some other riders and saw that they were using every inch (and more!) of the track – and that’s what I’m going to have to do if I want to improve my lap times.

“I noticed that all the regular riders got up to pace pretty quickly and that’s because they have been here many times before. It’s a disadvantage I am going to have to get used to, but Niccolo doesn’t have that problem. I am very happy with the way he has performed. He went three seconds faster than the Hero EBR went last year and was also a second quicker than his best lap last year.

“At the moment we are evaluating both the single disc and dual brake system. I feel that some tracks will suit the single disc and some tracks will suit the dual. What is so interesting is that the dual system is the absolute top of the line 10,000 Euro WSBK system, while the EBR single disc and caliper we use is basically stock. Both Nick and I are really impressed at how good the single ISO system is for a stock brake and also are really intrigued by the advantages it has in deep trail braking. I’m sure we can improve them a lot with more development, so we shall see what happens as the season pans out.

“I am delighted with how the team has gelled so soon. We are all getting along together great and the team spirit is excellent already. All in all, I’m loving this WSBK adventure and I am happy that we are making considerable progress every time we go out.”

Niccolo Canepa

“I am very happy with these two days because the weather has been great and we have been able to do a lot of good work. I am pleasantly surprised because since the other teams had already tested in Jerez and we are still learning the EBR, I expected the gap between me and the other riders to be bigger and it has not been so. The Hero EBR electronics are very good – better than my bike last year – and the traction and wheelie control work really well. Although I rode a twin last year, the characteristics of the Hero EBR are very different, so I have to adjust my style. And I really like what the EBR can do as I learn it. At the moment, I am confident that I will be faster than I was last year. Portimao and Jerez are two very different tracks, but between them we have learnt a lot, so I think the combination on these two circuits has been very good in helping us develop the bike. It was good to put in about 100 laps here and I and the rest of the team cannot wait for our next test.”

More, from a press release issued by Aprilia – Red Devils:

APRILIA-RED DEVILS WSBK – JEREZ TESTS

A LOT OF LAPS AND GOOD SENSATIONS FOR THE APRILIA RSV4

LEON HASLAM IS FIT AND READY FOR PHILLIP ISLAND, “ROOKIE” JORDI TORRES IS IMPROVING AND PLEASED

Jerez (Spain), 27 January 2015 – The two days at Jerez de la Frontera for the Aprilia-Red Devils team were intense, with riders Leon Haslam and Jordi Torres busy with the final tests before the opening round of World Superbike 2015 which will be held in Australia on 22 February.

Thanks to the decidedly fair weather, Leon and Jordi were able to complete a tight testing schedule, increasing their familiarity with the reigning World Champion bike, the Aprilia RSV4, lap by lap. Lap times were encouraging, but what really counts is that the range of possible adjustments was explored in terms of setup and electronics, gathering information which will be useful as the season develops.

Leon Haslam, already fast at Portimão, confirmed his excellent condition. His harmony with a bike that is new to him is impressive, so much that the rider from Ealing was able to work on tyre wear, simulating race conditions. Haslam put in 148 laps, the best of which in 1’40.069.

Leon Haslam: “We took a lot of laps today, more than anyone else. We analysed a lot of things and now I feel really good on the bike in terms of setup. In a race simulation toward the end of the testing we were able to find a good speed and I gained confidence, even managing to improve on my best time using a soft tyre. That has always been a problem for me, putting the qualifier tyre to good use is another reason for us to be pleased with these tests. Phillip Island is a track that I like and apparently it suits my Aprilia well, so we’ll definitely be optimistic going into our first race.”

The “rookie”, Jordi Torres, showed significant progress compared to the previous tests. Determined to do well in his rookie World Superbike year, the twenty-seven year old Spaniard took full advantage of the two days he had, lapping consistently (169 times around the track by the end of the tests) and stopping the clock at 1’41.983 on his best lap. He also did a lot of work with used tyres and reported a decidedly positive feeling.

Jordi Torres: “I’m pleased with the way things went. We were able to try a lot of things. The bike is easy to ride, that’s my first impression, even if I still don’t feel like I’m at 100%, especially when braking in the middle of a turn. There are still a lot of things I need to figure out, but I’ll be heading to Phillip Island confidently, especially since we did a good job with race tyres. We could have shaved off a few more tenths of a second, maybe testing the qualifier tyre, but overall I’m quite pleased.”

Six-time World Champion Max Biaggi was also in the Aprilia garage at Jerez, with Michael Laverty working alongside him as a test rider. Biaggi made excellent progress, topped off with a best time of 1’41.9 in race simulation.

Max Biaggi: “At the beginning of these tests I had a bit of trouble getting back into the groove, but that’s normal after a long break. Little by little I began to feel more comfortable with the bike and my times began to show it, so as a result my enthusiasm also increased because I’m always happy to be in the saddle. I’m happy that we were able to complete the testing schedule. That’s what I’m here for and I adapted willingly to the Team’s needs. We are all quite pleased with this return 3 years after my last time around the track on a Superbike. In the future I expect to put in some faster laps so I can give accurate indications in “race” mode.”

More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

A positive test session for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team in Spain

Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), Tuesday 27 January 2015 – Two days of intense testing have just come to a close for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team at the Spanish circuit of Jerez, with riders Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano consolidating the positive results seen at last week’s Portimao test sessions.

Following on from last week’s tests in Portugal, this week’s Spanish test sessions, which took place at the Jerez circuit, fortunately took place in very favourable conditions that allowed the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team to work solidly without interruption over the two days. Under clear and sunny skies (air temperature 16°C, track temperature 24°C) Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano continued to work with their technicians and build confidence with their new 2015 Ducati Panigale bikes.

Over the two-day session, the squad continued to concentrate on improving bike behaviour on used tyres and identifying ideal electronic and suspension set-ups. Both factory riders were able to record some consistently fast lap times, completing a total of approximately 110 laps each. In the final stages of this afternoon’s session, and using a qualifying tyre, Davide recorded the overall fastest lap of the tests (1’39.332), which is also the new unofficial track record for the Superbike class. Davies and Giugliano are happy with the way work is progressing and are feeling confident ahead of next month’s opening races.

On 2 February, the official presentation of the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team will be broadcast in live streaming on www.arubaracing.it. Ten days later the team will travel to Australia, to carry out final test sessions (16-17 February) before continuing preparations for the opening round of the 2015 Superbike World Championship, to took place over the weekend of 20-22 February at the Australian circuit of Phillip Island.

Quotes at the end of testing:

Davide Giugliano – Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #7

“We’ve had two very positive days, in that we’ve been able to test a lot of small things calmly and methodically. During race weekend we never have a lot of time to be able to focus on certain areas and so we’ve made the most of the opportunity and the good conditions here. I’m really pleased that, together with the team, I’ve been able to find good feeling with the bike, something that I hope remains unchanged in the next tests that we’ll carry out at Phillip Island before the races. We’ll continue to work however, so as to be as prepared as possible for the opening races.”

Chaz Davies – Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team #7

“The tests haven’t been easy. Yesterday, on day one, we were able to work quite well and find good feeling with the bike. But unfortunately today some small issues limited our work and meant that we were unable to complete the programme or make the most of our time. My feeling with the bike is not yet perfect, but we’ll continue to work during testing at Phillip Island just before the races. I’m sure that we’ll be able to find what we need at the next tests so that we can begin the championship in the best possible way.”

Ernesto Marinelli – Ducati Superbike Project Director

“These first two test sessions of 2015 have been very important in terms of preparation for the opening races. Over the last two days at Jerez we have enjoyed perfect conditions which we are unlikely to see when we return here to race in September. We’ve consolidated the lines of development that we planned in November, and this is positive, but we still have certain things, such as grip and maximum lean, that will require further work. The time recorded by Davide is very important and serves to confirm both the work carried out so far and his great talent. The upcoming season will be very difficult and it’s important to start out on the right foot.”