Alex Lowes and Niccolò Canepa remained at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli today as the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team participated in the official MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship test at the Italian track. Heavy storms overnight delayed the proceedings as the surface dried, with work getting underway mid-morning.
Utilising the assistance of key personnel from Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., Japan, the WorldSBK team worked on developments to electronics control strategies, alongside chassis and engine development upgrades. Canepa was the first to get out on track on the YZF-R1, completing 40 laps in the morning session and working through the detailed test schedule set out by his adopted crew. Lowes followed soon after, circulating the Italian circuit 19 times before the imposed one hour lunch-break, with the Pata Yamaha riders sitting fifth and sixth in the times respectively.
Returning to work as the afternoon session began the Yamaha pair continued their evaluation of the electronics and suspension adjustments. Lowes concluded the day eighth in the combined times with a fastest lap of 1’35.468, having completed 64 laps of the 4,226m circuit as his strength and stamina continued its improvement. Canepa finished the session at the flag, after circulating 86 times. The Italian’s best lap of the day, a 1’35.746, sits him 11th in the official figures but with plenty of data for the team to evaluate in the run up to the next race event in three weeks’ time, his crew are pleased with the performance from the stand-in rider over the past four days.
As the freight is packed up trackside, the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team now prepares to travel across the Atlantic to California. Round nine will begin at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, in the United States, on Friday 8th July.
Alex Lowes
8th / 1’35.468 / 64 laps
“A good day testing at Misano today as I managed to do 64 laps. It’s slightly frustrating as I’m still not able to do as many laps as I would want. We also ended up with some good weather this afternoon so I’m slightly annoyed with that, as I always want to do more work, but what we did get through was very positive. We tested some different suspension parts, different electronics and at the end of the day we put a better set-up together so I feel like we’ve made a step forward compared to the race weekend. I’m looking forward to Laguna now and see if we can keep trying to improve further!”
Niccolò Canepa
11th / 1’35.746 / 86 laps
“I am really happy about today and the whole weekend, especially today because we tested a lot of things and improved the bike in many aspects, including the electronics, the chassis and also the comfort on the bike. For me it was very important to test but honestly I have to say I’m a little bit tired as in the past 13 days I have been on track riding for 12, so now it is time for me to relax a little bit! I’m really happy and want to say thank you to Yamaha and to the team for this opportunity, it has been very important for me and I have enjoyed it a lot.”
Andrea Dosoli Road Racing Project Manager
“Overall it has been a positive test after an important weekend for us. A positive test because we could evaluate important components for the chassis and the engine, and we could improve the setting of our electronics package, getting a clear indication for further development. The test for us is crucial and fundamental in the first year of the project and I am glad we were fully able to use the track time today.
“I want to thank Alex, who has been able to complete more than 60 laps even if his physical condition is not perfect, he gave us very clear feedback and the same for Niccolò. I fully believe that the information and the data that we have gathered today will be helpful not only in the coming race at Laguna but also for the mid-term development. Thank you to all the guys in the team for a good job well done.”
