With the Jerez test concluding European-based World Superbike testing for 2016, teams will next head to Phillip Island for the final pre-season shakedown and opening round. CycleOnline.com.au assesses the results so far.

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Q: Who is the favourite at this point?

A: It’s difficult to see anybody other than a Kawasaki winning the title again. While Tom Sykes was quickest both days at Jerez, he was simply outclassed by world champion Jonathan Rea last year, so the latter has to be the favourite. The factory team’s riding a great wave of success at the moment, so armed with the ZX-10R they’ll be right at the pointy-end more times than not again in 2016.

Q: Are the Ducatis again title contenders?

A: Chaz Davies has to be the favourite to upstage the Kawasakis, if anybody can. He’s been supremely quick on race tyres throughout testing and has a bag of confidence to his credit after taking the runner-up spot last year. Winning the title will be a massive task, but it’s certainly not impossible.

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Q: Can Josh Brookes convert his BSB-winning form to WorldSBK?

A: The ever-calculated Australian makes his anticipated switch to the world championship in 2016, fresh from dominating last year’s British series. With the same Milwaukee-backed team behind him Brookes will be in familiar surroundings, but they’ve had to trade the BSB title-winning R1 for a BMW S 1000 RR this year. After a single test in Spain things are already looking promising, so fingers crossed its a competitive package collectively.

Q: Where will the Yamaha R1s slot in?

A: Pata Yamaha under the operation of Crescent Racing is a full factory effort, marking Yamaha’s first official appearance in the series since 2011. Alex Lowes is always extremely fast and will be once again this year, while 2014 world champion Sylvain Guintoli has proved in the past he can win when on top-shelf equipment. Whether they dial the package in to challenge for the crown straight away is yet to be seen, but they’ll be competitive when the lights go out.

Q: Does Nicky Hayden deserve his place at Ten Kate Honda?

A: The experienced American has a point to prove after missing out on a MotoGP seat, hopeful of once again battling for wins riding machinery that can do so. The aging CBR1000RR won’t be the pick of the bunch on track, but it will be good enough to potentially win the odd race or more. For Honda, with a new bike on the way, Hayden is most definitely a welcome addition to the roster.

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Q: When will Josh Hook debut with Grillini Kawasaki?

A: After staring at last year’s Suzuka 8 Hours Hook has secured a fulltime berth in WorldSBK riding with Grillini Kawasaki. The base package of a ZX-10R is practically the best there is, so if the team can maintain a satisfactory level Hook will improve as the season goes on. His first taste of the team and bike will come at the Phillip Island tests.

Q: Where is Suzuki this year?

A: With Crescent Racing swapping to Yamaha for 2016, Suzuki will be absent from WorldSBK altogether. There’s a new GSX-R1000 slated for 2017, so chances are they will return once again, but whether that’s next year or the one after we’re not certain. For now, Suzuki fans will have to follow the brand in MotoGP, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing!