Portimao World Superbike Test: Wednesday

NEWEST AT TOP

Beowulf Racing

Newly-crowned European Superstock 600 Champion Gino Rea has just completed a hugely impressive test aboard Cal Crutchlow’s series-winning Yamaha World Supersport bike at the Portimao speed complex in Portugal today. The young Londoner’s best lap of 1:46.423 was just a second adrift of the pace set by race winner Eugene Laverty (Honda) at the same venue on Sunday and would have seen him finishing tenth, beating twice World Supersport champion Andrew Pitt (Honda) in the process.

The opportunity to attend the factory-backed test was secured by Rea’s mentor Andrew Stone on Monday evening. Rea was informed of the deal just moments after he arrived back in the UK with it then being a case of grabbing a few hours sleep before heading back to the venue he’d just come from.

Also in attendance were ex-MotoGP riders James Ellison and Anthony West, along with Columbian Martin Cardenas.

“The bike was amazing to ride,” said Rea afterwards. “I think I could have posted a 1:45 lap, but my final test session was red-flagged and finished ten minutes early. The squad was great fun to work with and the Yamaha team bosses seemed happy with my performance, which is the main thing. I’ve matched the pace of Anthony West and got close to the speed of James Ellison, who had more track time than me, on a bike I’d never ridden before so I’ve got to be happy with that.”

Gino Rea is being increasingly viewed as a World Champion in waiting. Sponsorship opportunities are now being sought to secure a ride for him in the 2010 World Supersport Championship. Interested parties are invited to contact Andrew Stone on 07970 472 652 or by email at andy@beowulf-racing.com

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Yamaha

Today saw the second and final day of the first test for the Yamaha World Superbike 2010 riders Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland. Both riders spent a second full day testing their new R1 machines as they worked to bring the settings in line with their riding styles. Having come from Supersport and MotoGP machines both riders have to learn a new bike. Regardless of this they both performed well and were consistently fast over the second day, again riding well below the pace of Sunday’s World Superbike race. The technical support and know-how which helped give the team it’s world title was clearly rubbing off on both Crutchlow and Toseland as they got down to business.

As the team pack up to leave Portimao, they leave with heads held high as the 2009 World Superbike champions, having taken the title with rider Ben Spies dominating the championship from the start. This was the first Superbike title for the team, however with two top new riders on board and the taste of victory in their mouths, 2010 promises to deliver more success for Yamaha.

Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha World Superbike Team (1’42.1)
“A good enough second day for us again. I think we’ve worked hard looking at a few different things with the shocks. We haven’t changed that much yet so we’ve got some work to do. We’ve changed a couple of things and had a play around with the electronics which has been good. Hopefully we’ll keep working hard, the team has done a good job and I’m pleased with the first test.”

James Toseland, Yamaha world Superbike Team (1’43.1)
“I’ve been looking at Ben’s race time and in two days on the bike we are nearly a second a lap faster by the end which I’m quite pleased with. We’ve got some work to do but for my first test on the bike we’ve been getting to understand the suspension and a few things and getting to understand how the bike reacts to some changes. We’re working on some of the electronics and an area of engine work as well. We’ve had a good test and have a lot of information to work on for next year. I like the bike, it’s so much different to what I’m used to though so it’s taking some time to tame the beast! When you ride a heavier bike you have to take your time to find its limits. One thing I didn’t want to do was crash as I’ve got another GP to race next week. I’m really pleased with the team, and looking forward to testing again as soon as possible.”

Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha World Superbike Team Manager
“Cal’s side went very well, he improved quite a lot and was impressive. We are very satisfied. Now we will decide if we need another test before January which we’ll confirm when we go home to give the riders the possibility to have some more time on the bike. James needs some time after a two year run in Moto GP he’s in a different world and riding on a very difficult circuit. He made good improvements from yesterday so he’s keeping going in the right direction. The team has worked hard so I’m happy; it’s been a good test and an end to an amazing racing weekend before.”

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Ducati Xerox

Portimao (Portugal) Wednesday 28th October 2009: a cooler, overcast day characterised day two of testing at the Portimao circuit as Ducati Xerox riders Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio and their technicians continued work where they had left off yesterday.

Over the two days Noriyuki has tested the new clutch and is happy with the initial results, citing it as a good starting point for 2010. He also used the new fork but declared at the end of testing that he prefers his usual one. Michel meanwhile continued to ride with the new fork, testing too the new shock provided by Ohlins and he was very comfortable, able to record some ery fast lap times.

Average lap times were very similar to yesterday with Michel able to improve on his best time by a few tenths of a second, once again one of the fastest riders on track during the morning session, along with Noriyuki and Brits Jonathan Rea (Honda), Leon Haslam on board the Suzuki and Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow.

Both Ducati Xerox riders finished up at lunchtime, with the testing having been declared a success.

Noriyuki Haga
“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.”

Michel Fabrizio
“I continued to test the fork that we used yesterday and I also tried the new shock. With the bike in its 2009 configuration but with the new shock mounted I was immediately half a second faster so it seems to be a big improvement. I’m very happy with the times as me and Jonathan were again the fastest out there and I’d say the testing has finished on a very positive note.”

TIMES (UNOFFICIAL): Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 1m41.9s; Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) 1m43.2s