Dorna Communications

Sunny conditions swamped the Circuito de Jerez once again for day two of MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship testing, and it was another green machine on the top of the timing screens, as Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) finished 0.776s ahead of the rest of the six strong field.

Sykes had a stunning day around the Spanish circuit, as he continues to work on some small issues found with the 2018 ZX-10RR. Working through the issues with his team for the week, he was the only rider to put in a time under 1.40, with his final time a lap of 1.39.692.

Continuing to struggle with pain from his Qatar crash, Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) spent the day continuing to bond with the team and understand his Italian bike, and was the first rider out on track. Putting in over 70 laps of the 4.4km circuit, he ended the day in the top three as he begins to adapt his riding style to the bike.

By 11am all riders were out on track and the times began to tumble to below 1.40s, with Sykes leaving the garage and setting the bench mark of 1.40.883. Loris Baz (Althea BMW Racing Team) was keen to get out on track, with his plan to adapt to the brakes and tyres in the morning before working on faster laps as the day went on. The French rider clocked a stunning 94 laps, with a final lap time of 1.40.468 to end his final day out on track.

Milwaukee Aprilia were once again out on track for the majority of the day, whilst Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) begins to work with his new crew chief. Savadori and his teammate Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) were able to put in over 140 laps combined, and they ended the test with plenty of data to take forward. Laverty had a strong end to the day, shooting up into third position.

Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) spent his second day on the ZX-10RR, with a strong first impression on the Kawasaki. Spending the time understanding both the bike and the team, he had a steady day as he completed 29 laps, setting a time of 1.41.034.

Full day two official times:

1 Tom SYKES - Laps: 74 - 1:39.692              
2 Loris BAZ -  Laps: 94 - 1:40.468 (+0.776)
3 Eugene LAVERTY - Laps: 73 - 1:40.551 (+0.859)
4 Jordi TORRES -  Laps: 82 - 1:40.595 (+0.903 )
5 Lorenzo SAVADORI -  Laps: 79 - 1:40.841(+1.149)
6 Leandro MERCADO - Laps: 29 - 1:41:034 (+1.342)