Source: Supplied.

Former World Superbike Champion Tom Sykes remained fastest as the second and final day of testing concluded in Jerez, continuing his strong run on board the 2016 model ZX-10R.

Recovering Roman Davide Giugliano was just over a tenth in arrears, while 2015 championship runner-up and Ducati teammate Chaz Davies was third fastest. Both were just in front of experienced rookie Nicky Hayden on the Honda.

Fog earlier in the day left conditions difficult until midday, after which most riders were able to set more representative lap times. Sykes’ lap of 1m39.924s was the fastest of the day and of the test, as well as being quicker than his own pole position time from 2014.

The Aruba.it Racing Team riders of Giugliano and Davies proved the only two capable of putting in a lap time within the same half second, 0.123s and 0.186s behind respectively. Giugliano escaped uninjured from a minor low-side at turn one whilst pushing hard during the afternooon, the only consequence of which was an interruption to his race simulation.

The Honda duo of Hayden and Michael van der Mark also improved their lap times today and both by over a second. Hayden ended the day fourth with his teammate only marginally further back in fifth; the gap between the two smaller than previously.

Barni Racing rider Xavi Fores impressed by topping the timesheets for a good portion of the afternoon after ending yesterday’s session in eighth. Today, his 1m40.761s was over a second faster and good enough to keep him in the top six at the close of business.

The mood at Kawasaki remains buoyant after the two days of testing in Jerez, with Sykes fastest on both days and his teammate comfortable on a ZX-10R he is working on refining. Reigning champion Jonathan Rea remains convinced that the new Ninja will be faster and continues his search for the new limit, ending the day seventh overall and just in front of the Pata Yamaha riders of Sylvain Guintoli and Alex Lowes.

Australian Josh Brookes rounded out the top 10 as he gained comfort with his new Milwaukee BMW at 1m41.826s, the 2015 British Superbike Champion making big improvements since yesterday and making his first real impression on the timesheets.

The fastest of the WorldSSP riders was once again reigning champion Kenan Sofuoglu, with new Puccetti teammate Randy Krummenacher still the Turkish rider’s closest challenger.

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