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Reigning Champion Jonathan Rea and 2013 Champion Tom Sykes were in Barcelona to have a medical check up before both getting back on track in Jerez tomorrow to continue their Winter testing. Both Kawasaki riders were optimistic about the season ahead: “With Kawasaki and the team around me, our technical sponsors and my personal sponsors, I’m definitely in a great position,” explained Sykes. “I’m relaxed and motivated for the new season. I think it could be more competitive, we´ve had the introduction of a couple of new manufacturers, and ones who have been in the championship before.  They’ve had a gap year, you could say. So I’m expecting a really competitive year.”

Teammate and reigning Champion Rea agreed it will be more closely fought in 2016. “It will be more competitive this year. Last year it wasn’t easy as such but it seemed like it came naturally. But I understand my riding, my level, and I understand the bike. We have a new bike now and the limit is that much further so I expect to be even stronger than 2015.”

So what’s on the agenda for the Jerez test?

“Last time we evaluated all the new components so this time we’re starting to concentrate on putting it all together,” explained Rea. “Continuing doing race simulations…it’s a new bike and we need to find riding at the limit very comfortable. Right now we’re still understanding some issues we’ve been having.”

“We just need to continue working; to fine tune the bike and make some small steps,” Sykes affirmed. “Jerez is a great circuit and has many different parameters and variables, so we can always get good information there. But we already have a great feeling.”

Both riders will be back on track in Jerez tomorrow putting the finishing touches on their pre-season preparations.