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Post by truenorth on Jan 17, 2020 8:31:34 GMT -8
Marc Marquez Tests the new Fireblade In tests at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Marc Márquez, eight times world champion, was able to try the Fireblade in a private round for Honda. The brand itself is responsible for spreading the video of the Spanish, where he is seen screaming while completing a return to the track where he took the victory this season. Among several shouts of fun and surprise, Cervera's makes it clear that the motorcycle is "impressive" and "powerful" , with enough strength to compete in a world cup. In addition, it also indicates that "the acceleration is there" and that the CBR "will be a rocket."
" The driving in the curve is incredible, " says the champion when testing the ease of the bike when it comes to turning. And it is that Márquez has also been able to highlight in the test video the stability of the motorcycle, the good braking, the great stability of the front train and, above all, how nice it is to ride. "Like a MotoGP, I like it," explains the world champion who, in addition, did not hesitate to test the top speed of the Fireblade in the Montmeló finish line.
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Post by truenorth on Jan 20, 2020 8:12:03 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 20, 2020 8:49:40 GMT -8
Camier, that headache: "I lack the strength to drive the Ducati V4": Leon's problems do not end: "Unfortunately the shoulder is still not in shape. The tests? Going back to Portimao could be a risk " ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EOvCsqLVUAEUzJL?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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Post by truenorth on Jan 20, 2020 9:23:18 GMT -8
The Rea-Bautista challenge starts again, in Jerez the first Honda-Kawasaki match: The time has finally come to discover the cards, but the Spanish two days will not be a closed box for Alvaro and the HRC ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EOuE5cFUEAYieNt?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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Post by truenorth on Jan 21, 2020 6:47:49 GMT -8
Rea launches the challenge: "At Jerez just to confirm some things on the Kawasaki": Lowes: "The goal is to make the ZX-10RR mine". Team manager Roda is optimistic: "Jonathan's motivation to continue winning is incredible" ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EOzeoBLU0AAS4Tj?format=jpg&name=small)
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Post by truenorth on Jan 21, 2020 10:18:46 GMT -8
January 21, 2020 New HRC Team To Make Public Debut During Test At Jerez Roadracing/Dorna WorldSBK ![](https://www.roadracingworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/21-Honda-CBR1000RR-R-Fireblade-SP_action8_1572897911-1920x1269.jpg) A test rider on Honda's new 2020 CBR1000RR-R. Photo courtesy of American Honda. 2020 fires up as WorldSBK set for intriguing Jerez test The countdown really is on as the first WorldSBK action of the decade begins at the Circuito de Jerez, with the new season getting ever closer… After a lengthy winter in which the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship enjoyed the festivities, it is back to hard work and testing activities. The Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in the south of Spain is the next venue for the WorldSBK field to take their 2020 preparation to, from the 22nd to the 23rd January. With seasoned riders moving teams, temporary replacements and the much anticipated first public test of the HRC Honda team, there’s plenty to keep an eye on across the two days. The Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK field both Jonathan Rea and new teammate Alex Lowes at the Spanish circuit. The pair were first and fourth respectively the last time they visited Jerez, with Rea finishing with nearly a full second advantage over nearest rival. The Ulsterman comes into the test with positive feelings, have been crowned Irish Motorcyclist of the Year on Friday 17th January. For Alex Lowes, he will be eager to carry on dialling in his feelings and developing the ZX-10RR to his liking. Lowes will be eager to crack the top three this time around. A prominent force back in November and with a new rider in their set-up, the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team are eager to narrow the gap to Rea at the top of the timesheets. Michael van der Mark was right on the pace at Jerez in November, frequenting top position half-way throughout the second day before finishing third overall with 177 laps complete. New teammate Toprak Razgatlioglu also shone brightly on the opening day last time before finishing seventh at the close of the test. The Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team are getting ready for the 2020 season in style, with the next batch of testing looking positive. MotorLand Aragon testing was certainly a positive experience for the ARUBA.IT – Racing Ducati team, but they didn’t top any day of the test at Jerez. Rookie Scott Redding was the best rider from the Italian manufacturer in fifth, whilst Chaz Davies managed ninth, both riders working through a variety of set-ups towards finding a suitable balance for the V4 R. Both riders will seek to be within a second of the top time and make steady improvements across the two days, with Redding yearning more track time. Both BMW riders were inside the top ten at the close of testing at Jerez last time out, with Tom Sykes flying high in sixth and Eugene Laverty in tenth. 2013 Champion Sykes wrapped up his first title at Jerez and heads to the Spanish venue with positivity and happy memories. Teammate and 2013 title rival Eugene Laverty has been training intensely throughout the off-season and comes into the Jerez test revitalised and rejuvenated. This will be Laverty’s second test on the S1000RR and hopes to refine his feelings aboard the bike with more experience. The fifth factory team and one of the most anticipated is the HRC Team of Alvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam. This will be the first public test for the bike, as Honda have been testing and developing behind closed doors, meaning that this Jerez test will be the first glimpse of the all-new CBR1000RR-R in WorldSBK trim. Bautista completed a successful test with his Ducati at Jerez in 2019 and will look to repeat that achievement over at Honda this season, with the Spaniard also coming into the 2020 season as runner-up. Teammate Haslam will be keen to develop the Honda into a contender; both riders having experience and good versatility. Headlining the charge of the Independent’s brigade are the Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha team, featuring Loris Baz. The Frenchman was a stand-out performer at Jerez last time out, finishing second on day two and being inside the top five for most of the test. With 181 laps done, Baz is a man to watch out for across the two days. GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team bring their line-up of Federico Caricasulo and Garrett Gerloff to the famed Jerez track too. Caricasulo is another rookie on the 2020 grid, whilst American teammate Garrett Gerloff has been quietly going about his business and has impressed many so far. Other Independent teams in attendance include the BARNI Racing Team, who will not be with Leon Camier as the British rider recovers from injury. Sandro Cortese replaces him for the two days, with the German racking up miles aboard the Ducati and yet to be confirmed on the 2020 grid. Team GoEleven bring Michael Ruben Rinaldi to Jerez, with this being his first test with the team ahead of 2020. The Motocorsa Racing team will also be there with their Ducati and Leandro Mercado, who returns to the manufacturer in 2020. The Brixx Performance set-up are also at Jerez, testing with their rider Sylvain Barrier. One more rider to keep a close eye on will be Chile’s Maximilien Scheib, who teams up with the Orelac Racing VerdNatura squad and readies for his first test of his full-time debut in the 2020 season. From the WorldSSP class, Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) will return to Jerez, when he was top of the WorldSSP class in November. 2019 WorldSSP Champion Randy Krummenacher (MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse) will look to be back on top, with his teammate Federico Fuligni joining him. They will be on track with Steven Odendaal (EAB Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha), Jaimie van Sikkelerus (MPM Routz Racing Team), Loris Cresson (OXXO Yamaha Team Toth), GMT94 YAMAHA duo Jules Cluzel and Corentin Perolari and also WorldSSP rookie, Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team).
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Post by truenorth on Jan 21, 2020 10:28:07 GMT -8
The permanent provisional line-up for the 2020 season has been unveiled
The provisional permanent entry lists for the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship have been revealed with an expanded grid of 22 riders, as anticipation grows for the start of the new season in a few weeks’ time.
Leading the charge will once again be the five-time and reigning WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea, who finds himself with a third teammate in as many seasons inside the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK: Alex Lowes, who finished a career best of third in the 2019 standings.
2019’s runner-up Álvaro Bautista will debut a new machine for the second season in a row, as he leads Team HRC’s return to WorldSBK. Sitting on the new CBR1000RR alongside him will be Leon Haslam, the most experienced pair of hands on the 2020 grid.
Chaz Davies will complete his seventh season with the ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati team in 2020. He will be partnered this time by reigning British Superbike champion and former MotoGP™ star Scott Redding, a WorldSBK debutant.
Two of 2019’s five race winners will represent the PATA YAMAHA OFFICIAL WORLDSBK TEAM in 2020: Michael van der Mark and Toprak Razgatlioglu. The pair will also enjoy a new model of the YZF R1 this season.
Closing off this quintet of factory teams is the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Tom Sykes will lead the project once again after a promising first year together. His new partner will be the man he battled so fiercely against for the 2013 WorldSBK title: Eugene Laverty.
Moving over to the independent teams and riders, 2020 will see Leon Camier joining the Barni Racing Team on the Ducati V4 R. He replaces Michael Ruben Rinaldi, who switches teams (but not machinery) to Team GOELEVEN.
There will be another two Ducati V4 Rs on the 2020 grid, bringing the total up to six: Leandro Mercado, who joins the debuting Motocorsa Racing, and two-time STK1000 winner Sylvain Barrier (Brixx Performance).
2019 independent winners Kawasaki Puccetti Racing replace the departing Razgatlioglu with 2018 independent winner Xavi Fores, while ORELAC Racing VERDNATURA have brought in the current Spanish Superbike champion, Maximilian Scheib. Team Pedercini Racing, meanwhile, will finally field one rider, still to be confirmed.
The GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team will feature two exciting rookies in 2020: World Supersport runner-up Federico Caricasulo and American sensation Garrett Gerloff. The final YZF R1 on the grid is that of Ten Kate Racing, who have once again trusted Loris Baz after several promising results last year.
Closing out the grid will be the two members of the MIE Racing team: Takumi Takahashi, a former WorldSBK and MotoGP™ point-scorer who will be participating in his first full season on the world stage, and a second rider to be announced at a later date.
MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship FIM Supersport & Supersport 300 World Championships 2020 Permanent Provisional Entry lists
N° RIDER NAT MOTORCYCLE TEAM 1 Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki ZX-10RR Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK 22 Alex Lowes GBR Kawasaki ZX-10RR Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK 7 Chaz Davies GBR Ducati Panigale V4 R ARUBA.IT Racing - Ducati 45 Scott Redding GBR Ducati Panigale V4 R ARUBA.IT Racing - Ducati 54 Toprak Razgatlioglu TUR Yamaha YZF R1 PATA YAMAHA WORLDSBK OFFICIAL TEAM 60 Michael van der Mark NED Yamaha YZF R1 PATA YAMAHA WORLDSBK OFFICIAL TEAM 50 Eugene Laverty IRL BMW S1000 RR BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team 66 Tom Sykes GBR BMW S1000 RR BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team 12 Xavi Fores ESP Kawasaki ZX-10RR Kawasaki Puccetti Racing 31 Garrett Gerloff USA Yamaha YZF R1 GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team 64 Federico Caricasulo ITA Yamaha YZF R1 GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team 76 Loris Baz FRA Yamaha YZF R1 Ten Kate Racing Yamaha TBA Kawasaki ZX-10RR Team Pedercini Racing 2 Leon Camier GBR Ducati Panigale V4 R Barni Racing Team 21 Michael Ruben Rinaldi ITA Ducati Panigale V4 R Team GOELEVEN 77 Maximilian Scheib CHI Kawasaki ZX-10RR ORELAC Racing VERDNATURA 13 Takumi Takahashi JPN Honda CBR1000RR MIE Racing TBA Honda CBR1000RR MIE Racing 19 Alvaro Bautista ESP Honda CBR1000RR Team HRC 91 Leon Haslam GBR Honda CBR1000RR Team HRC 36 Leandro Mercado ARG Ducati Panigale V4 R Motocorsa Racing 20 Sylvain Barrier FRA Ducati Panigale V4 R Brixx Performance
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Post by truenorth on Jan 21, 2020 10:37:00 GMT -8
2020 fires up as WorldSBK set for intriguing Jerez test Tuesday, 21 January 2020 ![](http://photos.worldsbk.com/2020/01/20/06555_test2020_jerez_ambience-2_full.jpg) The countdown really is on as the first WorldSBK action of the decade begins at the Circuito de Jerez, with the new season getting ever closer… After a lengthy winter in which the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship enjoyed the festivities, it is back to hard work and testing activities. The Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in the south of Spain is the next venue for the WorldSBK field to take their 2020 preparation to, from the 22nd to the 23rd January. With seasoned riders moving teams, temporary replacements and the much anticipated first public test of the HRC Honda team, there’s plenty to keep an eye on across the two days. The Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK field both Jonathan Rea and new teammate Alex Lowes at the Spanish circuit. The pair were first and fourth respectively the last time they visited Jerez, with Rea finishing with nearly a full second advantage over nearest rival. The Ulsterman comes into the test with positive feelings, have been crowned Irish Motorcyclist of the Year on Friday 17th January. For Alex Lowes, he will be eager to carry on dialling in his feelings and developing the ZX-10RR to his liking. Lowes will be eager to crack the top three this time around. A prominent force back in November and with a new rider in their set-up, the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team are eager to narrow the gap to Rea at the top of the timesheets. Michael van der Mark was right on the pace at Jerez in November, frequenting top position half-way throughout the second day before finishing third overall with 177 laps complete. New teammate Toprak Razgatlioglu also shone brightly on the opening day last time before finishing seventh at the close of the test. The Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team are getting ready for the 2020 season in style, with the next batch of testing looking positive. MotorLand Aragon testing was certainly a positive experience for the ARUBA.IT – Racing Ducati team, but they didn’t top any day of the test at Jerez. Rookie Scott Redding was the best rider from the Italian manufacturer in fifth, whilst Chaz Davies managed ninth, both riders working through a variety of set-ups towards finding a suitable balance for the V4 R. Both riders will seek to be within a second of the top time and make steady improvements across the two days, with Redding yearning more track time. Both BMW riders were inside the top ten at the close of testing at Jerez last time out, with Tom Sykes flying high in sixth and Eugene Laverty in tenth. 2013 Champion Sykes wrapped up his first title at Jerez and heads to the Spanish venue with positivity and happy memories. Teammate and 2013 title rival Eugene Laverty has been training intensely throughout the off-season and comes into the Jerez test revitalised and rejuvenated. This will be Laverty’s second test on the S 1000 RR and hopes to refine his feelings aboard the bike with more experience. The fifth factory team and one of the most anticipated is the HRC Team of Alvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam. This will be the first public test for the bike, as Honda have been testing and developing behind closed doors, meaning that this Jerez test will be the first glimpse of the all-new CBR1000RR-R in WorldSBK trim. Bautista completed a successful test with his Ducati at Jerez in 2019 and will look to repeat that achievement over at Honda this season, with the Spaniard also coming into the 2020 season as runner-up. Teammate Haslam will be keen to develop the Honda into a contender; both riders having experience and good versatility. Headlining the charge of the Independent’s brigade are the Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha team, featuring Loris Baz. The Frenchman was a stand-out performer at Jerez last time out, finishing second on day two and being inside the top five for most of the test. With 181 laps done, Baz is a man to watch out for across the two days. GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team bring their line-up of Federico Caricasulo and Garrett Gerloff to the famed Jerez track too. Caricasulo is another rookie on the 2020 grid, whilst American teammate Garrett Gerloff has been quietly going about his business and has impressed many so far. Other Independent teams in attendance include the BARNI Racing Team, who will not be with Leon Camier as the British rider recovers from injury. Sandro Cortese replaces him for the two days, with the German racking up miles aboard the Ducati and yet to be confirmed on the 2020 grid. Team GoEleven bring Michael Ruben Rinaldi to Jerez, with this being his first test with the team ahead of 2020. The Motocorsa Racing team will also be there with their Ducati and Leandro Mercado, who returns to the manufacturer in 2020. The Brixx Performance set-up are also at Jerez, testing with their rider Sylvain Barrier. One more rider to keep a close eye on will be Chile’s Maximilien Scheib, who teams up with the Orelac Racing VerdNatura squad and readies for his first test of his full-time debut in the 2020 season. From the WorldSSP class, Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) will return to Jerez, when he was top of the WorldSSP class in November. 2019 WorldSSP Champion Randy Krummenacher (MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse) will look to be back on top, with his teammate Federico Fuligni joining him. They will be on track with Steven Odendaal (EAB Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha), Jaimie van Sikkelerus (MPM Routz Racing Team), Loris Cresson (OXXO Yamaha Team Toth), GMT94 YAMAHA duo Jules Cluzel and Corentin Perolari and also WorldSSP rookie, Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team).
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Post by truenorth on Jan 21, 2020 11:03:23 GMT -8
Provisional permanent entry list for the middleweight class revealed
The 29 riders that will compete in the FIM Supersport World Championship have been confirmed today with the release of the provisional permanent entry list for the 2020 season.
Reigning Champion Randy Krummenacher remains in the series and will defend his crown throughout the 2020 season. He does however change manufacturers, from Yamaha to MV Agusta, in a bold attempt to become the first rider to take back-to-back titles on different bikes.
His will be the third F3 675 on the grid, as Raffaele De Rosa and Federico Fuligni remain with the MV Agusta Reparto Corse squad. The team will be the only one with three full-time competitors in 2020.
Jules Cluzel will stay inside the GMT94 Yamaha structure for another year, after missing out on last year’s title by only 13 points. His teammate will once again be Corentin Perolari, forming an all-French challenge for the championship.
The rider who picked up the most points in the second half of last year also remains in place. Lucas Mahias will aim for his second WorldSSP crown alongside Kawasaki Puccetti Racing, with series newcomer Philip Oettl by his side.
Last season’s runaway Teams Champions, BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team, have also brought in a former Moto2™ competitor in Andrea Locatelli, who will be aiming to pick up where the departing Krummenacher and WorldSBK-bound Federico Caricasulo left off last year.
Kallio Racing will place two bikes on the grid this season, with Hannes Soomer joining Isaac Viñales at the Finnish-based squad. So too will Kiefer Racing, who have recruited Thomas Gradinger and Lukas Tulovic for their debut in the WorldSBK paddock. Completing this trio of Yamaha teams is OXXO Yamaha Team Toth, represented in 2020 by Loris Cresson and Peter Sebestyen.
There’s also a return to the series for multiple WorldSSP Champions Ten Kate Racing, who have partnered with EAB to bring Steven Odendaal into the series. Another team who will be working alongside the Dutch team is the MPM Routz Racing Team, led on track by Jaimie van Sikkelerus.
Several former WorldSSP300 frontrunners have graduated to the middleweight class this year, starting with 2019 WorldSSP300 Champion Manuel González (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team). He is joined by Andy Verdoïa and Galang Hendra Pratama, who will both compete as part of the bLU cRU WorldSSP by MS team.
Kawasaki will feature one more rider on the grid: 16-year-old rookie and Moto3™ race winner Can Öncu (Turkish Racing Team).
The rebranded Dynavolt Honda team, meanwhile, will feature Hikari Okubo (fifth in last season’s standings) alongside series newcomer Patrick Hobelsberger. 2020 will also see the return of former WorldSSP competitors Danny Webb (WRP Wepol Racing) and Christoffer Bergman (Wójcik Racing Team).
Four riders have also signed up for the European Supersport Cup, which will be up for grabs in the ten European races. These riders are: Xavier Navand (Altogoo Racing Team), Tom Toparis (Benro Racing), Alejandro Ruiz Carranza (EMPERADOR Racing Team) and Axel Bassani (Team Yamaha Motoxracing). A fifth contender, for Benro Racing, is yet to be announced.
N° RIDER NAT MOTORCYCLE TEAM 55 Andrea Locatelli ITA Yamaha YZF R6 BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team 16 Jules Cluzel FRA Yamaha YZF R6 GMT94 Yamaha 94 Corentin Perolari FRA Yamaha YZF R6 GMT94 Yamaha 5 Philipp Oettl GER Kawasaki ZX-6R Kawasaki Puccetti Racing 44 Lucas Mahias FRA Kawasaki ZX-6R Kawasaki Puccetti Racing 32 Isaac Viñales ESP Yamaha YZF R6 Kallio Racing 38 Hannes Soomer EST Yamaha YZF R6 Kallio Racing 1 Randy Krummenacher SUI MV Agusta F3 675 MV Agusta Reparto Corse 3 Raffaele De Rosa ITA MV Agusta F3 675 MV Agusta Reparto Corse 22 Federico Fuligni ITA MV Agusta F3 675 MV Agusta Reparto Corse 52 Patrick Hobelsberger GER Honda CBR600RR Dynavolt Honda 78 Hikari Okubo JPN Honda CBR600RR Dynavolt Honda 56 Peter Sebestyen HUN Yamaha YZF R6 OXXO Yamaha Team Toth 84 Loris Cresson BEL Yamaha YZF R6 OXXO Yamaha Team Toth 4 Steven Odendaal RSA Yamaha YZF R6 EAB Ten Kate Racing 9 Galang Hendra Pratama INA Yamaha YZF R6 bLU cRU WorldSSP by MS 25 Andy Verdoïa FRA Yamaha YZF R6 bLU cRU WorldSSP by MS 48 Xavier Navand ESS* FRA Yamaha YZF R6 Altogoo Racing Team 7 Tom Toparis ESS* AUS Yamaha YZF R6 Benro Racing TBA ESS* Yamaha YZF R6 Benro Racing 12 Alejandro Ruiz Carranza ESS* ESP Yamaha YZF R6 EMPERADOR Racing Team 81 Manuel Gonzalez ESP Kawasaki ZX-6R Kawasaki ParkinGO Team 35 Lukas Tulovic GER Yamaha YZF R6 Kiefer Racing 36 Thomas Gradinger AUT Yamaha YZF R6 Kiefer Racing 74 Jaimie van Sikkelerus NED Yamaha YZF R6 MPM Routz Racing Team 47 Axel Bassani ESS* ITA Yamaha YZF R6 Soradis Yamaha Motoxracing 61 Can Alexander Öncü TUR Kawasaki ZX-6R Turkish Racing Team 71 Christoffer Bergman SWE Yamaha YZF R6 Wójcik Racing Team 99 Danny Webb GBR Yamaha YZF R6 WRP Wepol Racing
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Post by truenorth on Jan 22, 2020 6:13:30 GMT -8
Wednesday times and results 22.01.2020 ![](https://www.bikesportnews.com/uploads/news_images/lav.jpeg) Times and results from Wednesday’s sessions at the Jerez WorldSBK test Jerez WorldSBK test times at 2pm - conditions drying Rider Team Time Laps Loris Baz Ten Kate Yamaha 1’52.807 27 Alex Lowes KRT 1’53.246 17 Michael van der Mark Pata Yamaha 1’53.675 22 Garrett Gerloff GRT Yamaha 1’53.866 23 Scott Redding Aruba Ducati 1’54.207 27 Federico Caricasulo GRT Yamaha 1’54.527 19 Leon Haslam Team HRC 1’54.803 9 Tom Sykes BMW Motorrad 1’55.144 9 Tati Mercado Motocorsa Ducati 1’54.361 26 Toprak Razgatlioglu Pata Yamaha 1’55.624 13 Maximillian Schieb Orelac Kawasaki 1’56.136 11 Christophe Ponsson Nuova M2 Aprilia 1’56.542 25 Chaz Davies Aruba Ducati 1’58.864 2 Eugene Laverty BMW Motorrad 1’58.770 9 Sylvain Barrier Brixx Ducati 1’58.820 14 Alvaro Bautista Team HRC 2’03.707 4 Sandro Cortese Barni Ducati 2’03.708 9 Jerez WorldSBK test times at 1pm - conditions drying Rider Team Time Laps Michael van der Mark Pata Yamaha 1’53.675 22 Loris Baz Ten Kate Yamaha 1’53.794 16 Garrett Gerloff GRT Yamaha 1’53.866 18 Scott Redding Aruba Ducati 1’54.207 27 Leon Haslam Team HRC 1’54.803 9 Tati Mercado Motocorsa Ducati 1’54.361 26 Toprak Razgatlioglu Pata Yamaha 1’55.624 12 Tom Sykes BMW Motorrad 1’55.848 5 Christophe Ponsson Nuova M2 Aprilia 1’57.856 21 Alex Lowes KRT 1;58.653 5 Chaz Davies Aruba Ducati 1’58.864 2 Eugene Laverty BMW Motorrad 1’58.770 8 Sylvain Barrier Brixx Ducati 1’58.820 14 Federico Caricasulo GRT Yamaha 2’01.889 8 Alvaro Bautista Team HRC 2’03.707 4 Sandro Cortese Barni Ducati 2’03.708 9 Jerez WorldSBK test times at midday - conditions drying Rider Team Time Laps Scott Redding Aruba Ducati 1’54.207 20 Loris Baz Ten Kate Yamaha 1’54.882 9 Tati Mercado Motocorsa Ducati 1’58.104 16 Leon Haslam Team HRC 1’59.317 4 Garrett Gerloff GRT Yamaha 1’59.807 5 Christophe Ponsson Nuova M2 Aprilia 2’00.035 11 Federico Caricasulo GRT Yamaha 2’01.889 8 Alvaro Bautista Team HRC 2’03.707 4 Sandro Cortese Barni Ducati 2’03.708 8 Michael van der Mark Pata Yamaha 2’05.587 5 Sylvain Barrier Brixx Ducati 2’06.530 7 Toprak Razgatlioglu Pata Yamaha 2’11.110 1 Eugene Laverty BMW Motorrad 2’09.238 2 Jerez WorldSBK test times at 11am - conditions wet Rider Team Time Laps Christophe Ponsson Nuova M2 Aprilia 2’03.332 7 Scott Redding Aruba Ducati 2’04.580 7 Michael van der Mark Pata Yamaha 2’05.587 4 Sylvain Barrier Brixx Ducati 2’06.530 7 Tati Mercado Motocorsa Ducati 2’08.503 4 Toprak Razgatlioglu Pata Yamaha 2’11.110 1
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Post by truenorth on Jan 23, 2020 4:23:02 GMT -8
Redding: "Ducati SBK? Having ridden in MotoGP helps me": "If you want to fight for the title you have to be quick in all conditions, and today I have improved. In the team there is a family atmosphere and no barriers, it can be the winning ingredient" ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EO9kMf9U8AAukjl?format=jpg&name=small)
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Post by truenorth on Jan 23, 2020 4:25:43 GMT -8
Puig assures: "Marc Marquez will be at the Sepang tests": The HRC team manager comes to Jerez by surprise with the director Kuwata to closely follow Bautista and Haslam with the CBR ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EO9gEN7UUAIiYSs?format=jpg&name=small)
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Post by truenorth on Jan 23, 2020 4:43:59 GMT -8
Testing, testing... garrettgerloff had a good day of wet weather testing today at Jerez in the official WorldSBK test. Gerloff ended up third fastest in the rain, just .064 of a second behind Leon Haslam on the new Honda. ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EO6bFDIUYAEbKot?format=jpg&name=small)
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Post by truenorth on Jan 23, 2020 4:59:40 GMT -8
Intruder at SBK tests in Jerez: Stefan Bradl on the Honda MotoGP: The German test rider will also be on track tomorrow to continue developing the RC213V: "The rain and cold affected our plans." ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EO8xQfRU8AEyqAo?format=jpg&name=small)
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Post by truenorth on Jan 28, 2020 17:42:19 GMT -8
Portimao WorldSBK test: Haslam outpaces Bautista by two seconds 28.01.2020 BSN Gordon Ritchie at Portimao ![](https://www.bikesportnews.com/uploads/news_images/haslam_portimao_test.jpg) Leon Haslam is clearly in better shape to take on the 2020 season than factory HRC team-mate Alvaro Bautista, if evidence from the Portimao WorldSBK test is anything to go by. Inside the top six, Haslam felt good on race tyres and got through a big chunk of the planned development tasks on his all-new bike - finishing two seconds faster than Bautista who was deeply unhappy. “We did quite a lot more laps today and got through a lot of items that we wanted to,” Haslam confirmed to bikesportnews.com. “We made some good steps for sure and I’m happy with our race tyres. “I tried a qualifier at the end but we didn’t really gain that much time. But the race tyre times were within one or two tenths of whoever was going fast at the same time. We made some good steps and had a fully-dry day so I can’t grumble.” Haslam was not sure if his much greater experience of Superbikes of all kinds was the reason he was so far ahead of his team-mate at this stage, but he is aware that Bautista is a class act who should come good sooner rather than later. “Alvaro wasn’t too fast in pre-season last year and then won the all first races so I’m not counting him out just yet,” said Haslam. “He’s got a lot of experience and this is just a process for both of us right now. I’m feeling comfortable with what we’ve achieved and as a team we’ve got a clear direction of what we want to do and try. All in all we are actually pretty close, so I’m happy.” With so many good experiences, and a track layout that should not hurt the new Honda in terms of engine speed, PI could well be an ideal venue for Haslam to kick off the season at.“Phillip Island is quite a unique circuit. I’ve managed to podium with six different manufacturers round there, so I don’t think it’s about what bike you have around Phillip Island, more about your style. “I am looking forward to it from that perspective. Alvaro goes well there, he’s had a top four in a MotoGP and won the races comfortably there last year, so I’m interested to see what we do in the two days of testing out there. It’s step by step-by-step right now but to be this close so soon is very promising.” The team launch will be Tokyo shortly before the tests start in Australia. And Haslam is being kept busy in general in his new role. “It’s going to be busy with a few trips before Australia but it’s quite exciting. Normally you’d be over the travelling at this point but I just want to get going and get over to Phillip Island.”
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Post by truenorth on Jan 28, 2020 17:51:39 GMT -8
Davies in much better shape than 2019 28.01.2020 BSN Gordon Ritchie at Portimao Approaching his second season on the Aruba-backed factory Panigale V4R, Chaz Davies is in better shape than in 2019, when injury affected him more than anything. The Welshman is still not quite ready to go racing yet, but one more test should do to it. “I don’t feel like if we had to race here tomorrow that I would be ready, but that said these track conditions are quite different to what we have here in the summer,” Davies told bikesportnews.com. “We still have some things to box off in that PI test. Come the first race, I am expecting to be a little bit more competitive.” Compared to after this test in 2019, Davies believes he is in better shape now and can even put a number on it. Completely different and a lot better I think – 1.8 seconds better to be precise. A lot better from that point of view and of course I know the bike a lot better now and I am injury free. Much better frame of mind.” There were some big changes to his bike’s chassis components, and some big changes and big comparisons at Portimao. “Yeah, back-to-back-to-back-to-back, really. Just making sure that we know where we are at with it. Some big changes. I think the new stuff and the changes have been good but there are still a couple of things that are hangovers from 2019 really. “I want to try and improve the bike. There is still some fundamental stuff where I want to improve. Even though the parts they have brought here have been decent. A step in the right direction there are still some base characteristics that I want to try and get on top of. More turning, really, corner entry.” So is there a lot of work to do or a bit of work to do? “There is a bit of work to do,” he stated. “There is one test item we did not get manage to get round to doing. But that is pretty much it on the list. We will fix our bike for that first test in PI. “We won’t be changing swingarms, and changing some of the parts we’ve had here. We will be set with them, which will be good. There is just one thing to confirm at the tests and then work on the tyres that Pirelli bring us.” Last year front forks were something Davies chopped between - the previous WorldSBK cost capped ones and the wider diameter 2019 WorldSBK spec versions. That is still Davies’ missing part of the chassis jigsaw, to be decided finally in the PI tests. “That is what we have to do, but I is not something I am too stressed about it because I am pretty happy where I am at. But Öhlins want to re-confirm again.”
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Post by truenorth on Jan 28, 2020 18:00:00 GMT -8
Bautista unhappy with confidence and pace 28.01.2020 BSN Gordon Ritchie at Portimao ![](https://www.bikesportnews.com/uploads/news_images/bautista_portimao_test.jpg) Being around 2.5 seconds slower than the fastest rider was not where Alvaro Bautista thought he would be even at this relatively early stage of proceedings on his full-house HRC CBR, but well into the teens in the Portimao WorldSBK test rankings is where he finished up. His team-mate Leon Haslam, with one more test – at Portimao no less – under his belt than Bautista, was much closer to the leaders. What Bautista was positive about were some aspects of development but happy he wasn’t. “Happy… when you work in this way to make a big change in the bike to get information, for sure you never find the feeling to push. But in the end this is work that we have to do,” he told bikesportnews.com on his rush to get out of Portimao. “Right now we are searching for a good base for the bike. It’s, maybe, harder than I expected it to be but it’s the work that we have to do now. We made a lot of modifications during this test and we gained a lot of information for the engineers. I think that the test in Australia will be very important because especially after these two days – Jerez was impossible - now they have to work in the factory to give me what I’ve asked for in Australia. It will be important, that test.” Few punches pulled then, but Bautista was almost in the same position last year with Ducati, until he went to Australia, finally found a V4R front end set-up and cleared off. There is a significant difference this year. “I think that this is similar to last winter with Ducati but last year the bike was more ready and the team had more experience of the bike,” he explained. “They were more prepared, a little bit, because this project is so young and was only born three months ago. We need more time and I think that we need at least three or four more tests to stay at the same level as I felt last year. “But for that reason that is why I say it all depends on how they work in the factory to give me what I’ve asked for. We’ll see in Australia. We need to improve my feeling with the bike and let me find more confidence. That is the target right now the main problem we are searching.” Front-end confidence in particular seems to be his bugbear, and the chassis in general is the next point on the powerful new Honda’s development timeline to focus on for Alvaro. “From Jerez in December to here we’ve improved the character of the engine and made a big step with this. And it improved a lot. We worked a lot on the engine and electronics in the winter and didn’t touch the frame and everything. Our target was to make this work in Jerez and here maybe have some ideas. Now they have some time to work in the factory and we’ll see in Australia.”
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Post by truenorth on Jan 28, 2020 18:46:03 GMT -8
Van der Mark impressed with ‘faster’ R1 28.01.2020 BSN Gordon Ritchie at Portimao ![](https://www.bikesportnews.com/uploads/news_images/van_der_mark_portimao_test.jpg) Michael van der Mark, with a new spec Yamaha to ride in 2020, worked though a lot of options at the Portimao WorldSBK test, making up for wet weather at other tests. And he was happy to be so close to the top given that it was mostly testing rather than finding a full race set-up for the Portugese track. “This has been a really good test for all the Yamahas. We had again a lot to test with suspension components and stuff like that,” he told bikesportnews.com. “This morning the pace was immediately quite good. We’ve tried so many things to see what’s better or worse and at the end we had to find the right combination. Everything, the pace, is still improving and I think my fastest lap was set on the race tyre. We cannot really complain to be honest.” With a new bike, an update of his 2019 one, VDM was asked what he major differences and improvements were. The 2020 bike is easier to ride and we have more drive grip. For sure we still want more. I believe the bike is also faster and that makes life a bit easier.” The work done at Portimao should allow VDM to concentrate more on his actual season-starting race set-up now. “For Australia we’re pretty sure of what we want and we tried some things here, to stress the tyre less, which could be really positive for Australia,” he said. ““On this track it didn’t really work everywhere but it seems it will work for Australia. We have already done a bit of testing here, but over there will be some small things to try.” Michael also has a new crew chief, Andrew Pitt, and that was another new thing to get used to this winter. So far so good, he said. Everyone has their own way of working and I’m enjoying it with Andrew. It already feels like we’ve been working together for a long time. That is really good.”
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Post by truenorth on Jan 28, 2020 18:58:02 GMT -8
WorldSBK lorisbaz targeting race wins for 2020
The effervescent Loris Baz hasn’t won a race since 2013 but pumped up and dishing out the fighting talk, the Frenchman won’t be taking any prisoners at the start of the new decade…
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Post by truenorth on Jan 30, 2020 11:48:59 GMT -8
Sykes applauds ‘unbelievable development’ after successful pre-season Wednesday, 29 January 2020 ![](https://photos.worldsbk.com/2020/01/27/04722_test2020_portimao_jan_action_full.jpg) The former WorldSBK Champion is looking like a contender as he heads to Phillip Island in a buoyant mood After a successful test at Portimao, Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is eager for the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season to start. Seventh on the timesheets for Sykes – one place higher than teammate Eugene Laverty – showed that he has a good pace, even if the 2013 WorldSBK Champion insisted that it wasn’t a true indication or reflection of the work they had been doing. Working primarily with a whole host of different chassis set-ups, the 34-year-old Huddersfield-native also looked at electronic strategies and braking set-ups during the two dry days of action at Portimao. Pushing on and finding the parameters, Sykes concluded that the direction the team were working in is a huge positive ahead of the new season. Talking after the test, Sykes said: “I am very happy to have got this one out of the way, we had a big list of things to do and it is a credit to the whole of the team, the guys have worked overtime! We’ve been trying various chassis set-ups, electronic strategies and braking set-ups, it goes on and on! Obviously, it is a little bit frustrating as we had to keep to our own game plan and not focus on what was going on on-track. “We were able to find a bit of a direction and understand the parameters and just as we would start to gather speed, the guys would stop me in my track, and we’d switch to another chassis set-up. The same would happen again and it has just been one of those precious moments where we were able to do a lot of changes, something that we can’t do in a race weekend. We have something to work towards for Phillip Island.” Sykes’ first season on the BMW brought with it plenty of highs despite initial technical teething issues. A first front row came at MotorLand Aragon, whilst his first podium came in the soaking wet of Misano. He also clinched a wet weather pole position at home at Donington Park in the UK, before taking a podium in Race 1 and two more rostrums before the season ended. The 34-time WorldSBK race winner also commended the progress made by the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, saying: “We are moving in a very strong direction and as I’ve said, the picture on the monitor doesn’t tell the full story at all. There’s a lot of things that have been going on on-track and I feel like our performance is quietly quite strong. “The whole project has moved on, the whole team has done a great job but obviously, the development has been unbelievable. I’m looking forward to the season and things will only keep going in one direction, something that only gives me more motivation.”
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