Tom Sykes Fastest As Track Conditions Change
Rennie Scaysbrook | November 26, 2015
The fourth day of tests at Jerez for the WSBK riders was the third for the Kawasaki Racing Team riders, but they dominated the time sheets for those running transponders, with Sykes on a 1’40.316 and his team-mate Jonathan Rea on a 1’40.326.
The track conditions changed according to Sykes and others, with both the Michelin-shod MotoGP riders and the Pirelli riding WSBK riders thinking that the other manufacturers’ rubber was affecting the grip characteristics of their machines with so much rubber down on track now from each.
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing- Ducati WSBK) was third quickest, inside the 1’40s with a 1’40.867, as he tried out new forks and other components on another busy day for the Welsh rider, who had to make many pit exits and entrances compared to most. He set 61 laps, but Sykes, for example. Did 90 today.
Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Yamaha) set competitive times again, into the 1’40s according to some reports, even as he continued to develop the new Yamaha. He did not run a transponder again.
His team-mate Alex Lowes could not ride on Thursday because of his left shoulder dislocation, suffered at the end of his first day.
Nicky Hayden (Honda WSBK) rode alone in his team after Michael van der Mark had to stop riding due to arm pain. He set a 1’41.004 as he continues his impressive move into WSBK racing in general.
Barni Racing Ducati runner Xavi Fores and Davide Giugliano were grouped closely around Hayden.
Leon Camier’s MV Agusta took him to a 1’41.766 lap today, and the WSS Ten Kate Honda of Patrick Jacobsen set a 1’43.551 for the American rider. Gordon Ritchie
Photography by Gold & Goose
