Superbike teams continue work in mixed Spanish conditions.
The second day of World Superbike testing at Jerez got underway in conditions that did not look promising for the WSBK riders, given the still-wet tarmac following yesterday afternoon’s heavy rain.
The only riders who decided to venture out initially were Supersport’s Kenan Sofuoglu (San Carlo Puccetti Racing Team) and Leandro ‘Tati’ Mercado (Barni Racing Team Ducati). As soon as conditions improved all the other riders decided to follow and, after lunch, the 4.428km track was busy.
Lap times dropped significantly, as Alex Lowes topped the time sheets courtesy of a 1m40.730 set in the second half of the day. The Crescent Suzuki rider edged out fellow Englishman Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Leon Haslam (Red Devils Roma Aprilia) by only 0.123 and 0.135 seconds, respectively.
The former Pata Honda rider, who was the second most active on the track thanks to 76 laps completed, has already proved to be very competitive in what was his only second day aboard the new RSV4 RR.
New KRT recruit Jonathan Rea was not far off the pace as he lapped in 1m41.127 and he was trailed by Michel Fabrizio, who is testing the Aprilia machine for team Red Devils, and reigning Champion Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda World Superbike).
Despite an impressive total of 81 laps, 2014 WSS Champion and World Superbike rookie Michael van der Mark did not manage to break the 1m42secs barrier.
WSBK Jerez test day two results:
1. Alex Lowes 1m40.730
2. Tom Sykes 1m40.853
3. Leon Haslam 1m40.865
4. Jonathan Rea 1m41.127
5. Michel Fabrizio 1m41.384
6. Sylvain Guintoli 1m41.639
7. Michael van der Mark 1m42.651
8. Randy De Puniet 1m42.938
9. Kenan Sofuoglu 1m43.730 (WSS)
10. Raffaele De Rosa 1m44.920 (STK1000)
11. Luca Salvadori 1m45.985 (STK1000)