Source: Supplied.

The Motul Superbike World Championship Jerez test has come to an end in Spain, ending with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) on top as the 27 riders out on track continue to make steps towards 2017.

Reigning world champion Rea continues with his strong pre-season form aboard the Kawasaki ZX-10RR and despite a crash at the mid-point through the day, was able to lead the way with a lap time of 1m39.809s.

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) had one final push at the end of day two, to boost himself into third position overall, 0.410s behind his team-mate.

Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) stunned under the Spanish sun today, impressive not only with the length of time spent on track – producing over 70 laps – but setting a time only 0.111s off Rea’s.

Thought to be testing with Pirelli’s qualifying tyre, his lap time of 1m39.920s is a clear indication of the pace the Aprilia RSV4 RF has heading into the new season.

Meanwhile, teammate Eugene Laverty continues to work on set-up on the brand new machine and ended the day in the top 14, as the Irishman set a lap time of 1m41.886s despite being involved in a collision with Randy Krummenacher.

Italian Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) finished the first test of 2017 in fourth position overall, after leading the way at lunch time.

Most notably Melandri finished ahead of Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing –Ducati), as they continue to test the 2017 updates to the Panigale R. Both riders were just 0.5s off the top of the time sheets as they completed the top five with the Italian machine.

Rolling out the brand new Fireblade for its second day on track, Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team) was able to put in a solid run of 67 laps on his second day despite continuing to suffer with his knee injury. Improving on his day one time, the Kentucky Kid’s 1m40.548s put him in the top six.

Stefan Bradl (Honda World Superbike Team) wasn’t far behind, also improving on his day one time with 1m40.854s to put him in ninth. The German continues to adjust to the switch from MotoGP, whilst developing and understanding the 2017 CBR1000RR SP.

Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) continues to improve and develop his YZF R1 throughout the pre-season regime, putting in 83 laps on day two and the Brit was also able to improve on his time set on day one by 0.458s.

New teammate Michael van der Mark secured a spot in the top 10 at a circuit the Dutchman has enjoyed success at in the past. His lap time of 1m41.450s was an improvement on his time set from the first day.

Barni Racing Team’s lone recruit Xavi Fores continues to develop and improve his pace aboard the Panigale R, ending the day in eighth and under a second behind Rea’s time.

Rookie to the class, Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) had a challenging second day at Jerez. Crashing with just two hours of the day remaining, the Swiss rider suffered for the afternoon but will still able to improve on his time set in the opening day in Spain.

Markus Reiterberger (Althea BMW Racing Team) may have finished down in 12th position, however the German is continuing to make progress aboard the S 1000 RR. Improving on his time set yesterday by almost a second, it’s clear big steps are being made.

Teammate Jordi Torres had a more difficult day, as the Spaniard suffered a crash in the morning as he high-sided at turn three. The Spaniard suffered with an injury to his right arm and was forced to sit out for the remainder of the test.

World Supersport teams didn’t miss the chance to test their machines ahead of the season opener in Phillip Island, as three teams took to the track for the second and final day.

Zulfhami Khairudin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) continued with his competitive pace and the Malaysian rider ended the test on top, setting a final time of 1m44.410s.

Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) made a massive improvement on day two as he begins to alter his riding style to suit the Honda, he ended in second position, just ahead of his team-mate Robin Mulhauser.

Spaniard Nacho Calero took fourth spot overall in the test, ahead of Kyle Ryde (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) as he begins to understand his new team and ZX-6R. Hikari Okubo (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) rounded out the WorldSSP riders.

European Superstock 1000 teams were also out on track at Jerez, with both Aruba.it Racing Ducati Junior Team, Althea BMW Racing Team and Althea MF84 putting in laps today.

Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.ir Racing – Junior Team) set the president on the final day with a time of 1m43.343s to lead Australian teammate Mike Jones, who posted a 1m43.670s laptime.

WorldSBK day two laptimes:
1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) 1m39.809s
2. Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia Team) 1m39.920s
3. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) 1m40.219s
4. Marco Melandri (Aruba It.Racing- Ducati) 1m40.313s
5. Chaz Davies (Aruba It.Racing- Ducati) 1m40.324s
6. Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team) 1m40.548s
7. Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official Team) 1m40.600s
8. Xavi Forés (Barni Racing) 1m40.738s
9. Stefan Bradl (Honda World Superbike Team) 1m40.854s
10. Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Team) 1m41.450s
11. Randy Krummenacher (Puccetti Kawasaki Racing) 1m41.566s
12. Markus Reiterberger (Althea BMW Racing) 1m41.578s
12. Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing) 1m41.619s
14. Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia Team) 1m41.886s

WorldSSP day two laptimes:
1. Zulfhami Khairuddin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 1m44.410s
2. Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) 1m45.199s
3. Robin Mulhauser (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) 1m44.410s
4. Nacho Calero (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 1m45.507s
5. Kyle Ryde (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) 1m45.625s
6. Hikari Okubo (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) 1m45.852s

STK1000 day two laptimes:
1. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing-Junior Team) 1m43.343s
2. Mike Jones (Aruba.it Racing-Junior Team) 1m43.670s
3. Marco Faccani (Althea BMW Racing Team) 1m43.769s
4. Julian Puffe (Althea MF 84) 1m46.176s