Sykes fastest rider at Jerez test

Tom Sykes and Loris Baz experienced one wet and one dry day in testing at Jerez, but also found improvements on their official Ninja ZX-10R machines in each of the contrasting track conditions.

Sykes was up to his expected fast pace very early in the test and set a 1'40.5 second lap on a qualifying tyre in the last day, then did a 1'41.6 second lap on a race tyre. Young French rider Baz made great improvements once more and although the team opted not to use timing transponders, he set a best lap time that would place him in the top six of all the many riders on show. This was a pleasing result as he lost a lot of time in the pit box after he had a crash at turn two midway through the second day and his bike had to be rebuilt.

The first day at the tests was held in changeable and never fully dry conditions. Some heavy spells of rain made sure that the track would stay wet all day, not helped by the lack of sunshine. The track conditions rapidly improved on the second day, held in cold but sunny conditions throughout.

Tom Sykes: "We have to be very happy after this test. On the first day we had some wet track time and for some people it was maybe not very good but for us it was very valuable. Eventually on the last day we had decent track conditions and we got up to speed. We were able to test very constructively. Both days have been very valuable and I would like to thank the team and Kawasaki because our test schedule has been very good and all the time we have been moving forward. For this I am happy. This circuit is quite special and for sure it is not our strong point but looking at what is on paper we are not in a bad situation. On a race tyre we did a long run and was able to set a 1'41.7 time after 14 laps with this tyre option. Overall I am happy to have achieved what we have achieved and I am looking forward to the next test at Phillip Island."

Loris Baz: "It was a good test even if we missed two or three hours on the second day after a fall. It was a shame because we had some more things to try but we still made a big step forward and I am happy with what we found. I had a good feeling with the race tyre and also the qualifying tyre. I could not do a good time with a soft race tyres at the end because I did three laps on it and each time I found some other rider in front of me. I am sure I could have made a good time and I am not so far from Tom. Also, using a qualifying tyre it was the first time I was able to make a big improvement so I am happy with that because, with only three riders on each starting row in 2013, Superpole qualifying is going to be very important. The front end feeling we have now gives me a better way to use the good grip from the rear tyre. I am happy to go to Phillip Island now."