News

An assortment of WorldSBK riders have ended a two-day private test at the Lausitzring. Next month, the 4.2km (2.6mi) circuit in the north-eastern German State of Brandenburg will host the Pirelli German Round on the weekend of 16-18 September, marking the first World Superbike race in the country for three years.

Although WorldSBK last raced at the Nurburgring in 2013, there has been no race on the semi-oval Lausitzring since 2007. Nine years on, riders – including World Champion Jonathan Rea – have visited the venue during the summer break in order to put in the kilometres before the final four rounds of 2016 come in quick succession.

As this was a private test, lap times were not published, although the main goal for competitors from the respective World Superbike, World Supersport and Superstock 1000 tiers was to learn the nuances of the Lausitzring track. From the premier class, those in attendance were title holder Jonathan Rea and his team-mate Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), Sylvain Guintoli and Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) and Nicky Hayden and Michael van der Mark (Honda WorldSBK Team). For Hayden, this was a first taste of the venue, while Guintoli was pleased to be back on his WorldSBK-spec Yamaha for the first time since his Imola Superpole crash. At Kawasaki, the riders sampled the track on standard version motorcycles.

The test came ahead of a WorldSBK Ride In street demonstration on Saturday.

WorldSBK.com has spoken with several riders during the test, while others shared their feelings via social media. A selection of initial reactions can be read below.

- WorldSBK -

Nicky Hayden – Honda WorldSBK Team:
“It's definitely a unique circuit; it looks very simple on paper but, in reality, it's quite a tricky one as there are some tough sections. We have gathered some good data and had some good track time. Overall it was positive. We will work on improving the feeling at the front; we'll try and calm it down over some of the bumps.”

Marcel Duinker – Crew Chief to Tom Sykes, Kawasaki Racing Team:
"We had a test with a street bike, just to learn the track. But with a street bike you only learn the layout of the circuit; it’s not possible to simulate the riding lines of the Superbike because its character is so different. 45 laps was enough.”

Sylvain Guintoli – Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team:
“It was quite a big crash (at Imola) and it’s been a long time since I’ve been on the bike, but I feel okay. The test here is about building the speed back up. I enjoyed riding the YZF-R1 and I did quite a lot of laps, so now it’s about continuing to rebuild the confidence and the rhythm with my riding again.”

- WorldSSP -

Alex Baldolini – Race Department ATK#25:
“It has been good to test in order to have a good base setup for this circuit. It’s nice to have the time to test properly; this is our first test since Misano and is proving very useful. Although the lap times don’t mean much, from those I have seen I am happy with what we have done and we have tested some different suspension settings.”

Gino Rea – GRT Racing Team:
“I had a really great test. Once I got into the groove I really enjoyed the circuit. It’s quite bumpy, so managing that adds an extra challenge. It’s really beneficial for us to be here, as we are able to try things we don’t have time to try on race weekends. We are working on electronics, suspension and chassis balance. I’m pleased because I have been quick and consistent while riding on very used tyres.”

David Salom – Team Principal, DS Junior Team:
“We are doing laps with a standard bike. The objective is to get to know the track. Illia (Mykhalchyk) has got back on the bike after no racing for two months, although he has been training in other disciplines such as motocross and supermoto.”

- STK1000 -

Julian Puffe –Agro On-Benjan-Kawasaki:
“On the first day alone, I did almost 80 laps. We have tested a lot. The most important thing for me is to continue improving my riding style; the step from 600 to 1000 is something I am still finding difficult, but I have made some steps forward and every step is an improvement.”