SBK, Rea: "I need to get more miles in"

To understand how serious the two factory KRT team riders were about the recent tests at Jerez, you only needed to take a look at the timesheets, while also considering the fact that both Johnny Rea and Tom Sykes suffered a crash, proving that the pair were often close to the limit on their ZX10RR machines.

Despite the terrible crash, Johnny set the best time of the day - in 1’39”809 - putting in two race tyres, and focusing on a long-run configuration. Many of the parts tested will be used during the opening rounds of Australia and Thailand: “despite grip at Jerez not being the best - explained Rea- we were still able to do a good job thanks to the fairly cold track, and we were consistent over the two days”.

Work in the Kawasaki garage was significant and Johnny knows where he can improve: “with those different reactions resulting from the track conditions, we tested different Showa rear shocks and I've been pleasantly surprised. I hadn't ridden a bike for a few weeks and I don't feel as in shape as I usually do; I need to cover a lot more miles before I can feel as comfortable as I did last year”.

Tom Sykes too, third fastest overall, has had a few niggling physical problems: “I'm quite pleased, though I have some neck pain after the crash. Anyway, we've tried many things on the bike and thanks to my team, I've ended the day on a really positive note”.

Phillip Island is coming and Tom knows he's on the right path: “at Jerez we've made real progress, I know that the data collected here will help us improve and make us stronger so that we are ready when we get to Australia”.