WSB: World Superbike blasts back into action at Jerez test

Today sees the Circuito de Jerez Angel Nieto host Day one of a two-day test as the World Superbike championship kicks into life for the first time this year.

Almost the entire Superbike field is present in the south of Spain as well as several World Supersport teams. The Jerez gathering effectively runs back-to-back with two more days of action in Portimao, Portugal to follow on Sunday and Monday.

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After the Jerez track broke up following its previous resurfacing, work was carried out last week which sees a new surface in place both from the final corner to turn three and between the end of the back straight and the stadium section.

Amid the usual business of sampling new parts and carrying out race simulations, this week’s test will see the new BMW bikes of Tom Sykes and Markus Reiterberger go up against their rivals for the first time.

The HRC-supported Hondas of Leon Camier and Ryuichi Kiyonari are not present, instead focusing on testing in Asia, although the Althea team is in Jerez with Alessandro Delbiancho.

In the World Supersport ranks, Jules Cluzel is set to kick-start his journey with the GMT94 squad. Also on a Yamaha R6, Maria Herrera will make her debut in the category as she and the MS Racing team venture into the class for the first time.

Track action takes place from 10am to 6pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Local forecasters are predicting an overcast first day with more sunny spells on the second, with pleasant highs of 15 to 18 degrees celsius in the afternoons.

MCN will bring you further updates from the test online and on Twitter at @MCNSport.

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