2009 WSB Portimao test
29-10-09 by Bracksy
The first test of the SBK “off-season” has now been run after two days testing at the Portimao circuit in Portugal with both Superbike and Supersport classes out on track.
The two days have seen the new signings for the next season cutting laps and becoming accustomed to their respective new teams and testing 2010 upgrades.
Johnny Rea on the Ten Kate Honda was the pace-setter laying claim to the fastest “unofficial” lap time from Michel Fabrizio. New WSS Champion, Cal Crutchlow on the factory R1 was third fastest from another new signing Leon Haslam on the Alstare Suzuki posting fourth fastest in front of the Aprilia’s of Max Biaggi and recently crowned 2009 BSB Champion, Leon Camier.
I just want to say how really, really proud I am of the whole team, who have worked so hard over the last weeks, said Rea.” They’ve gone through this test positively and methodically and got the bike working better. The great thing is that there is still so much potential and that just fills me with confidence for next season. The lap times were coming quite easily and we did all our work on used tyres. Everyone deserves a good rest now before we get back to work in December.
Noriyuki Haga – sitting mid pack
The most impressive was Rea’s new teammate Max Neukirchner. Max has ridden very little in recent months after a horrific run with injuries that started at the first lap of the opening race at Monza six months ago and then he follow that up with a practice crash at Imola in July that caused many complications. To be less than two seconds of Rea’s time in a couple of days is remarkable and was more than happy with his progress.
“I did 70 laps on both days of the test, including runs of 16 laps so I’m quite tired after being off a bike for six months. I’ve been training hard at home, but riding a bike is quite different and I know I’ve got a lot more work to do! However, I am really happy with the way this test has gone and on the second day I could feel that the pace was definitely coming, lap by lap. I got a really good feeling with the bike and the team. Of course, there is a long way to go before I can really understand how the bike works but it is a very good start.
Fabrizio was just on Rea’s heels but his team mate Noriyuki Haga (7th fastest) wasn’t as fast having a lot more in the program to test although there may be – quite understandably – a bit of a championship disappointment hanging over the two days. He could be forgiven for just wanting to get out of there and get home as is evident in his press statement. “Today we tried the new front fork and it felt quite similar to the one I use already but overall I prefer the one I have used up until now, the new one didn’t give me anything extra,. I worked with the new clutch which is a bit of a different concept but it gave me a good feeling and it definitely has potential. I’m happy with how it’s gone here but to be honest I’m ready to go home as it’s been a long week.”
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Tags: 2009, Portimao test, World Superbike
