WorldSBK Jerez Test: Lowes fastest on day one

KRT’s Alex Lowes was off to a fine start as 2022 WorldSBK testing got underway at Jerez Circuit - Angel Nieto on Wednesday.

Lowes concluded the opening day of action at the Andalucian track fastest overall, thanks to a 1’40.316 lap on his penultimate effort aboard the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR having sat out of the initial two hours of available track time.

Teammate Jonathan Rea, however, chose to opt out of Wednesday’s six hours on track completely, in favour of Thursday’s more favourable conditions. The six-time WorldSBK Champion still holds the unofficial fastest time from December’s outing, of 1’38.831.

Honda’s new pairing sat second and third in the unofficial times with Xavi Vierge heading Iker Lecuona by a mere tenth and a half as they continued to adapt to the Fireblade. Both riders took their share of the varied testing programme as the HRC squad analysed turning, handling, electronics and traction control, whilst on the hunt for enhanced grip and engine-braking.

Puccetti Kawasaki’s Lucas Mahias trailed the HRC duo by half a second as the Frenchman returned from a broken wrist. Four months off the bike and ongoing ligament pain meant the 2017 WorldSSP Champion utilised Wednesday solely to reacquaint himself with his ZX-10RR and left the heavy test work for Thursday.

The remainder of the action was made up by Supersport riders, with the unexpected addition of five-time champion Kenan Sofuoglu thrown in to the mix. Sofuoglu was on track in place of nephew Bahattin, after the young Turk tested positive for Covid-19, putting the updated MV Agusta through its paces in the mid 1’44’s. His teammate for the day, and MV’s lead rider for 2022, Niki Tuuli claimed the fastest time of the intermediate class riders setting a