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Sepang will be an important test bench for the World Superbikes, with various questions to be answered. Kawasaki will be looking to win after Imola, while Davies and the Ducati will be aiming for confirmation. A key factor will be the Malaysian track itself, with renovation work, including resurfacing, having just been completed on 23 April.
Designer Jarno Zaffelli promised the work during the MotoGP tests in early February: “Once testing finishes, we'll get straight to work”. Now the track is ready to host the sixth round of the production-derived series.
It was a long period of work but deadlines have been respected.
“Exactly, I remember when they called me to Sepang on 26 December to make initial evaluations. On 15 Februaru, shortly after the MotoGP tests, we started the work, finishing it off on 23 April. On Thursday we'll make a final inspection before the race. As well as the commitment of all the staff, the weather was also helpful, given that it's only rained three times during the last months”.
What were the riders' main requests?
“During the Sepang tests we spoke with Espargarò, Lorenzo, Rossi and many others and they complained about too many“bumps”. They also highlighted the lack of grip at turn five. We've worked to satisfy all the requests and now the problems have been definitively resolved”.
How would you describe the track now?
“Revolutionised! The resurfacing was one of the biggest jobs, but at the same time we've improved drainage through certain sections of the track, as well as the run-off areas, and have introduced new kerbs. In addition, the track is now a consistent 16 metres wide, while before it increased. I think it's become a lot faster and more aggressive”.
Turn fifteen has a new look.
“That alone is worth the ticket price! If I had to choose where to watch the race, I'd go there. We've totally redesigned it, and now the riders need to be wide on entry before cutting across, because otherwise they could lose the front. But that's not the only corner we've modified”.
Can you tell us about the others?
“At turns two and nine we've removed the bumps, while the lateral inclines are greater at every point. In the past, this track didn't really stress the tyre on the left, but now it will have to work a lot harder”.
What is the asphalt like?
“It's made to measure, so different to that of Imola, Misano or Rio Hondo. This will be the hottest race of the championship, in fact the track temperature can reach more than 62 degrees. We need to wait one year before the layer of glue is finally removed and we can see the grey stone.”
These renovations are something of an unknown for the tyres and riders.
“Personally I can't wait for Friday, I'm confident. The work has been carried out in the best possible way, but is very much a break with the past”.
