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After the conclusion of the Misano test in Italy, the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is another step closer to seeing battle recommence in just over a month’s time. There were plenty of headlines as Scott Redding (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) set a new unofficial lap record, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) crashed heavily and Leon Camier (Barni Racing Team) made his return. Here are just some of the best quotes from the two days of testing!

Fastest on both days and setting a new unofficial lap record on day two, Scott Redding’s philosophical side was shown as he returned to the track: “I missed it a lot to be honest. I started to feel like I retired from racing and I didn’t have a goal, didn’t know what to do with myself. I had to find another goal and another focus, which for me was to try and lose some weight so I could keep my focus on something. Maybe everybody realises how much they appreciate the racing. For me, I realised how much I love the sport and it motivated me more.”

Jonathan Rea had a mixed couple of days, with the Ulsterman suffering a big crash at Turn 11 on day one before bouncing back and ending up in P2 overall at the end of it all. Chatting about the crash, Rea said: “I hurt my ego a little bit! My expectation was that there was some run off there, but it was straight into the gravel. My motocross skills were pretty good in Phillip Island but definitely ran out of talent today!”

Championship-leading teammate Alex Lowes had a successful test and was kept busy throughout. “It’s been fantastic to get back out on the ZX10-RR; I’ve been dreaming about it for the last few weeks after such a long period off the bike,” said Lowes after day one. Lowes had enjoyed a good amount of track time over the two days, stating: “I did 103 laps so I was a little bit tired at the end but it’s been a successful test and we got lots of information going into the next one.”

Positives were in abundance for Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team GOELEVEN), as he was back on track at a circuit he knows well. He was elated with his performance and threatens to be even closer in the future: “I’m here in Misano, near my home, and very happy to be here. The feeling was really good so I am quite happy about this. To be here and not at home is an advantage! At the end of the two days we found the best solution, and we also managed to be very fast. Considering that our time was done with a race tyre, while most of the others used the Superpole tyre, I can be satisfied with the work done. In race configuration, we were even closer to Scott!”

It was a bitter return to action for Leon Camier (Barni Racing Team), who experienced more shoulder trouble when he returned to WorldSBK action. The British rider had been out of action since the opening day of the Australian round and things still have a fair way to go until he has healed properly. Speaking after the test, he said: “I can ride the bike and do sort of OK lap time wise but I’m so disappointed not to be able to ride at my – and the bike’s - full potential. Something is not right and I’m going to check with the doctor immediately to know what’s going on.”

WorldSSP Championship leader Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) blasted to the top of the timesheets. He was happy with the progress made but is expecting positive things for the new two-races-per-weekend format: “It’s a new change for 2020. Everything is new for me, but it is important for the future because if I think in WorldSBK, then they have more than one race.”

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