@WorldSBK • @TheRealTomSykes •(February 22, 2016)- 2013 WorldSBK Champion Tom Sykes recorded the fastest lap of both the second session and the first day of testing in Phillip Island, taking his Kawasaki ZX-10R around the 12 corners of the Australian track in 1’31.097, 0.196 seconds ahead of teammate and reigning Champion Jonathan Rea. In a session interrupted by rain and red flags, Althea BMW’s Jordi Torres slotted into P3 ahead of MotoGP Legend Nicky Hayden on the Honda in P4, with 2014 WorldSBK Champion Sylvain Guintoli moving his Yamaha YZF R1 into the Top 5 for the first time with a 1’31.583. On the combined timesheets however, Honda rider Michael Van Der Mark retained his P3 with a faster lap from the morning session, the only rider in the top ten to fail to improve in the afternoon.
With light rain a constant threat throughout most of the day, the second session also saw stoppages for red flags and crashes for many riders including Milwaukee pair Abraham and Brookes for separate incidents at turn 11, as well as Peter Sebestyen, Dominic Schmitter and 2015 title contender Chaz Davies. Davies, who escaped unhurt from a fall at the final turn on his Panigale R, ended the day in ninth on the combined timesheets with a tenth and a half advantage over Aruba.it Ducati teammate Davide Giugliano as Barni Racing Team’s Xavi Fores proved the fastest 1199 Panigale R of the day.
Sykes was also quickest at the previous preseason test in Jerez and is motivated about the chance to win back his 2013 crown. WorldSBK will be back on track tomorrow for the final day of preparations before the race meeting proper, with Friday the 26th kicking off the Australian Round of WorldSBK 2016.
Phillip Island DAY 1:
# Name Nat. Team Make Time Gap Laps Avg. Speed Top Speed
1 66 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’31.097 33 175,659 311,2
2 1 J. REA GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’31.293 0.196 0.196 27 175,282 318,6
3 81 J. TORRES ESP Althea BMW Racing Team BMW S1000 RR 1’31.526 0.429 0.233 36 174,836 314,0
4 69 N. HAYDEN USA Honda World Superbike Team Honda CBR1000RR SP 1’31.558 0.461 0.032 36 174,774 311,2
5 50 S. GUINTOLI FRA Pata Yamaha Official WSBK Team Yamaha YZF R1 1’31.583 0.486 0.025 19 174,727 306,8
6 22 A. LOWES GBR Pata Yamaha Official WSBK Team Yamaha YZF R1 1’31.620 0.523 0.037 32 174,656 305,1
7 12 X. FORES ESP Barni Racing Team Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’31.661 0.564 0.041 21 174,578 306,8
8 7 C. DAVIES GBR Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’31.678 0.581 0.017 19 174,546 311,2
9 60 M. VAN DER MARK NED Honda World Superbike Team Honda CBR1000RR SP 1’31.763 0.666 0.085 38 174,384 312,1
10 34 D. GIUGLIANO ITA Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’31.810 0.713 0.047 22 174,295 308,6
11 21 M. REITERBERGER GER Althea BMW Racing Team BMW S1000 RR 1’31.928 0.831 0.118 30 174,071 314,0
12 40 R. RAMOS ESP Team GoEleven Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’32.500 1.403 0.572 34 172,995 303,4
13 2 L. CAMIER GBR MV Agusta Reparto Corse MV Agusta 1000 F4 1’32.707 1.610 0.207 28 172,608 299,2
14 25 J. BROOKES AUS Milwaukee BMW BMW S1000 RR 1’32.859 1.762 0.152 17 172,326 305,9
15 32 L. SAVADORI ITA IodaRacing Team Aprilia RSV4 1000 RR/RF 1’32.892 1.795 0.033 30 172,265 311,2
16 46 M. JONES AUS Desmo Sport Ducati Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’33.051 1.954 0.159 24 171,970 298,3
17 20 S. BARRIER FRA Pedercini Racing Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’33.147 2.050 0.096 29 171,793 300,8
18 61 F. MENGHI ITA VFT Racing Ducati 1199 Panigale R 1’33.251 2.154 0.104 31 171,601 302,5
19 16 J. HOOK AUS Grillini Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’33.792 2.695 0.541 28 170,612 289,5
20 15 A. DE ANGELIS RSM IodaRacing Team Aprilia RSV4 1000 RR/RF 1’35.161 4.064 1.369 16 168,157 308,6
21 9 D. SCHMITTER SUI Grillini Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’35.640 4.543 0.479 8 167,315 298,3
22 11 S. AL SULAITI QAT Pedercini Racing Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’36.121 5.024 0.481 29 166,478 299,2
23 10 I. TOTH HUN Team Toth Yamaha YZF R1 1’36.463 5.366 0.342 27 165,887 297,5
24 56 P. SEBESTYEN HUN Team Toth Yamaha YZF R1 1’37.927 6.830 1.464 9 163,407 291,9