Ahead of tomorrow’s opening day of on-track action at the Pirelli Spanish Round of the 2015 eni FIM Superbike World Championship, a selection of riders were invited to visit the historical Alcazar of Jerez, an 12th century Moorish fortress located in the city of Jerez de la Frontera, before attending an autograph session at the neighbouring Plaza del Arenal.
Series leader Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team), Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team) and Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Superbike) were joined by Spanish WorldSBK riders Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils), Roman Ramos (Team Go Eleven), David Salom (Team Pedercini). WSS Spanish riders Marcos Ramirez (Team Lorini) and Nacho Calero (Orelac Racing) were also present, along with EJC points leader Javier Orellana. Sarunas Pladas (Pladas Racing) took part in the tour as the first Lithuanian rider to compete in a motorcycle racing World Championship weekend.
The event began with a guided tour of the impressive fortress, which includes an Octagonal Tower, the sole remaining mosque and the baths, where some of the original heating system is still partially visible.
The group then moved to the Plaza del Arenal, an impressive square adjacent to the Alcazar where they were met by fans, who had been queuing around the square awaiting the riders.
Replica bikes of the leading WorldSBK manufacturers were also on display in the square, providing the fans a unique opportunity to get up close to the machines raced by their heroes.
Looking ahead, it is highly likely that some fierce competition on Sunday could see champions crowned in STK1000, EJC as well as in WorldSBK with Jonathan Rea, Lorenzo Savadori, Javier Orellana and Avalon Biddle all on the brink of title glory. Before racing commences however there will be a number of practice sessions ahead of official qualifying for all classes, beginning tomorrow with FP1 for STK1000 at 08:45 local time. The opening session for WorldSBK starts at 11:15.
