News 20 Feb 2018

Rea closes WorldSBK pre-season fastest in Australia

Krummenacher quickest in WorldSSP at Phillip Island as West shines.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Kawasaki Racing Team’s current three-time champion Jonathan Rea was quickest following the official two-day Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) test at Phillip Island this week.

Rea’s eventual fastest was a 1m30.598s lap-time set in the morning session, placing him ahead of Monday pace-setter Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing Ducati) and Kawasaki number two Tom Sykes.

It was a positive shakedown for Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) in P4 overall, edging Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Ducati) for position. The top 10 – all within a second of Rea – was completed by Pata Yamaha duo Michael van der Mark, Alex Lowes, Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda), Loris Baz (Gulf Althea BMW) and Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia).

Second of the factory Ducatis Chaz Davies was well down the order in 11th, while it was an improved day for the Australians with Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda) 16th at 1m32.297s, Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team) P19 with a 1m32.651s and his teammate Daniel Falzon 21st after recording a 1m32.828s.

In World Supersport testing it was Swiss charger Randy Krummenacher (Evan Bros Yamaha) who topped the charts on return to the series, his 1m33.499s placing him ahead of world champion Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha) and teammate Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha).

Fourth on the time-sheets came ex-Moto3 champion Sandro Cortese (Kallio Racing Yamaha) in his debut, while Australian Anthony West (EAB West Racing Kawasaki) was first non-Yamaha in fifth, 0.539s from the top. His countrymen Tom Toparis (Cube Racing Kawasaki) and Lachlan Epis (Team GoEleven Kawasaki) were 17th and 23rd respectively.

Teams will now put forward their final preparations trackside at Phillip Island on Wednesday and Thursday, before the first official free practice sessions of the 2018 season take off on Friday morning.

A three-day pass for WorldSBK at the Island, purchased in advance through Ticketek, is $120 and includes free Paddock Access. Add camping at the circuit campground for up to four nights, and you’ve the perfect location for a summer long weekend away with your mates or family. As always at WorldSBK, kids 15 and under are free, as is your bike.

Advance ticket sales close Wednesday, 21 February at 4:00pm. Buy early and save or get your tickets at the gatefrom 8:00am Friday, Saturday and Sunday of race weekend on 23-25 February. For more information, visit www.worldsbk.com.au or call 1300 728 007.

Detailed results (WorldSBK)

Detailed results (WorldSSP)

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