The Jerez WSB test ended earlier today with Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes again setting the fastest lap. This time he went under the lap record with a phenomenal 1:39.924. If you want some perspective on how fast that is, just take a look at the MotoGP qualifying results at Jerez last year.
The Ducatis of Davide Giugliano and Chaz Davies were also very quick and slotted into second and third position. Nicky Hayden put his Honda in the fourth spot, roughly 6/10th of a second slower than Syke’s lap.
The new Yamaha R1 superbikes made a respectable showing given their early stage of development. This is shaping up to be an interesting year in WSB. The opening round is at Phillip Island the end of next month.
| Position | Rider | Manufacturer | Time |
| 1 | Tom Sykes | Kawasaki | 1m 39.924s |
| 2 | Davide Giugliano | Ducati | 1m 40.047s |
| 3 | Chaz Davies | Ducati | 1m 40.110s |
| 4 | Nicky Hayden | Honda | 1m 40.534s |
| 5 | Michael van der Mark | Honda | 1m 40.601s |
| 6 | Xavi Fores | Ducati | 1m 40.761s |
| 7 | Jonathan Rea | Kawasaki | 1m 40.856s |
| 8 | Sylvain Guintoli | Yamaha | 1m 41.018s |
| 9 | Alex Lowes | Yamaha | 1m 41.361s |
| 10 | Josh Brooks | BMW | 1m 41.826s |
See more of MD’s great photography:
Nicky is only .5 off his MotoGP qualifying, clearly that second tier Honda isn’t very good.
I am looking forward to seeing Josh Brookes, fresh off multiple BSB championships, racing in WSB. If only the BMW was competitive. Hayden ought to be in top 10 most of the season, that’s a refreshing change for him, at least since his early success in GP.
I’m really surprised the BMW is down 2 seconds on Sykes. That’s forever in racing time.
There is a lot of buzz about Hayden in WSB in my local area at least. I’d be curious to know if WSB shows a materially measurable uptick in viewership due to it. I’ve got my WSB streaming pass this year because of it, and I know others that have done the same or plan to go to a race.
I bought my pass. Admittedly, I’d been leaning that way before Nicky officially made the move, but that certainly didn’t hurt. I can’t see it being a bad thing for the sport in any case, and if NH ever starts to look competitive for a world title, there’ll be tons of interest.
C’mon, HRC, work your magic on Hayden’s bike!
WSB might be more fun to watch than MotoGP this year.. Go Nicky, get yourself on the box once in awhile..
If you want my opinion WSBK historically has had better racing action, though I admit last year GP was superb! Either way it is a WIN for us fans. 🙂
Isn’t it always!
Go Nicky!!!!!!! OWB to WSB(K)
Did he use qualifying tires ?
Lorenzo did 1.37.9 in Q2 last year, and 1.38.5 in FP3.
yes but Lorenzo sold his soul to the devil a long time ago to get lower lap times….
That’s absurd. You can’t actually sell your soul to the devil for better lap times. He’s obviously a robot created specifically to take championships from Rossi.
Viewing the MotoGp qualifying results puts some things in perspective. Sykes’ time is 2 seconds slower than Lorenzo’s and would’ve placed him 18th(!?!?!) On the grid.
Pole to 18th in GP is only 2 seconds. Yikes.
re: “He’s obviously a robot…”
…OVERLORD.
Agreed
after last season however, i wouldn’t be surprised if he was MM’s auto-erotic robot….
“autoerotic” implies a solo effort. I rather think that Jorge may be providing the dressing for Mark’s tossed salad, out of gratitude for Mark’s contribution to Jorge’s championship. MAS PICOSO!