A two-day test took place on Thursday and Friday at the Circuito de Jerez (Spain), where three WSBK teams wanted to gain experience for the 2023 Superbike World Championship.
The focus was on the BMW works team, which had the new M1000RR with them. Kawasaki was there with the factory team who received some new parts. In addition, former world champion Tom Sykes and his Puccetti team prepared for their comeback in the Superbike World Championship.
But the weather was not kind to the drivers and teams. On the first day, the conditions did not allow for good lap times. The course was wet and did not dry completely. Therefore, the majority decided not to drive. Only on the second day did all teams join.
Record world champion Jonathan Rea only used half a day. On Friday afternoon the Brit completed 50 laps and tested new developments on his Kawasaki ZX-10RR. Rea was the only rider to go under 1:40. Rea set the best time with his 1:39.911 lap. Kawasaki teammate Alex Lowes was classified third.
BMW collects a lot of experience with the new M1000RR
BMW driver Scott Redding was the only driver who made full use of both days. At Thursday’s shakedown, Redding completed 56 laps on the new BMW M1000RR. On the second day, the Brit completed 91 laps.
With a time of 1:45.675 on Thursday, Redding was far from the limit. The conditions did not allow for competitive lap times. It was important for BMW to gain as much experience as possible with the M1000RR, which has a much more radical design, in order to make the right development decisions in winter.
On the second day, Redding improved significantly. With his 1:40.104 lap, he came within two tenths of a second of Rea. BMW teammate Michael van der Mark missed the Jerez test. The Dutchman had metal parts removed that were put in place this year because of the injuries. By the start of the season, Van der Mark should be back to full strength.
Tom Sykes turns the first laps with the Puccetti Kawasaki
Another highlight was the WSBK comeback of former champion Tom Sykes. The 2013 World Champion returns to World Superbike Championships after a mixed year in the British Superbike Championship, once again competing on a Kawasaki ZX-10RR. At Puccetti, Sykes will succeed Lucas Mahias, who failed to live up to expectations.
At the Jerez Test, Sykes had to get used to the in-line four again after riding a Ducati Panigale V4R in the BSB that year. In addition to the conceptual differences between the two superbikes, there are also major differences in the electronics. In the BSB, Sykes had to do without all driving aids. With the WSBK bike, the experienced rider now has a comprehensive electronics package at his disposal.
Due to the bad weather, Sykes skipped the first day and boarded the second day in the afternoon. The WSBK returnee came within a second of the fastest time set by ex-teammate and fellow Kawasaki rider Jonathan Rea.