Kawasaki rider Tom Sykes topped the timesheet at World Superbike’s recent test at Jerez, Spain.
The Englishman put in a fastest lap of 1:39.924, just over a tenth better than Davide Giugliano. Chaz Davies, Giugliano’s Ducati teammate, was third fastest, with the Hondas of Nicky Hayden and Michael van der Mark not far behind. Barni Racing rider Xavi Forés was a surprise sixth on his Ducati.
Sykes’s Kawasaki teammate and defending champion Jonathan Rea was almost a second off the pace, finishing seventh overall. Pata Yamaha riders Sylvain Guintoli and Alex Lowes were eighth and ninth, while Josh Brookes rounded out the top ten on the Milwaukee BMW. For full results from the Jerez test, click here.
It’s not long now until the WSBK season gets underway in earnest. Round one goes February 26–28 at Australia’s Phillip Island circuit.