WSB: Two-day Jerez test postponed due to rainy conditons

The two-day World Superbike test at Jerez has been abandoned following another day of rain at the Spanish circuit.

Wet weather had already ruined the opening test day of the new year for all of the Superbike riders, with only Supersport rookie Leonardo Taccini and HRC test rider Stefan Bradl heading out of pit-lane.

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Today’s weather was a repeat of yesterday and as a result everybody remained in the comfort of their pit box. With only a limited number of private tests allowed this year (10 days), the teams and riders did not want to waste any of their allocation for the sake of a few laps in damp conditions. Rather than cancelling the test altogether, it has been rescheduled for January 27-28.

Reigning champions Kawasaki were present with Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes, with both riders keen to develop the new Ninja ZX-10RR in its WSB specification.

“It is a great shame not to test but the track is not going to be perfect today, so we decided to call it early,” Rea commented. “With the new regulations in place for limited test days, we need to be clever and use these days when they are most important. Right now, we need to confirm some important items in dry conditions, that we already tested at Jerez the end of last season.”

Rea is going for an unprecedented seventh straight WSB crown this year, whilst Lowes is looking to build upon his debut campaign with Team Green. The 2013 BSB champion won one race last season, ending his campaign sixth overall.

“This is typical English weather – so I must have brought it with me,” Lowes added. “It is a shame but the first thing to say is that there has been so much effort from the guys, especially with the Coronavirus restrictions, to put everything in place to get us down here to test. So, thank you to them. It is a shame the weather did not cooperate this time, but it has been nice to see everyone – and see my bike again.”

Team HRC was also present with new team manager Leon Camier, whilst Michael Ruben Rinaldi and Chaz Davies were preparing to make their debuts with Aruba.It Racing Ducati and Team Go Eleven Ducati respectively.

Former MotoGP rider Tito Rabat (Barni Racing Ducati), Isaac Vinales (ORELAC Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) and Loris Cresson (OUTDO Kawasaki TPR) were set to make their WSB debuts. MotoGP’s Maverick Vinales, Johann Zarco and Michele Pirro were all expected to be present on stock bikes.