Tom Sykes and his KRT partner Loris Baz approach their team’s home round in Spain after completing a successful test at the Motorland Aragon circuit last week, the venue for round two of the series.

Both riders left the Australian opening round with the lingering effects of injuries but the test at Aragon proved not only that each rider was ready to race this weekend but that the whole official Kawasaki SBK effort has been strengthened. There has been a long wait to return to competitive action since the opening race on February 24th but that will change with two 20-lap races scheduled for Sunday 14th April.

Tom has healed well from his broken left lower forearm and three broken ribs and assuredly set the fastest lap of the recent tests. He also completed a high number of laps, despite occasional rains on the final day of track action, proving his is not only fit again but fast again. Having left Australia fourth overall, after scored fifth place in each Aussie race, Sykes is out to improve on that at a circuit he enjoys.

Loris Baz also pitched in with a strong performance in recent Motorland tests for the KRT team as he continues to learn the art of riding a factory-supported Superbike at the sharp end of SBK racing. He was sixth in race one in Australia before being taken out by another rider in race two.

Alex Lundh and Federico Sandi also tested at Motorland Aragon recently and each looks forward to their second competitive outing of the year on their Pedercini Team Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10Rs.

The Superstock classes kick off their nine-round season this weekend at Motorland as it is the first European-based event of the year. There will be strong representation of the Ninja ZX-10R in the Superstock category, with no fewer than five machines under the Pedercini umbrella, in three different teams, and three riders form part of the overall MRS effort. Ninja ZX-10R riders will also represent BWG Racing Kawasaki Italia, SK ENERGY, Team GO Eleven and Team OGP squads.

Tom Sykes:

“Testing at Aragon last week was very important and now we have to look at our tyre options for the race weekend because we did not get the chance to do long runs right at the end. It was good to get out and ride at Motorland and the only thing I was not sure of before then was my physical condition. I am much happier now as I have woken up my arm muscles and my wrist feels better for being used properly at the tests. I am looking forward to race weekend now because what we tried at the tests has brought us some positives.”


Loris Baz:

“I think that we improved our feeling with the front in our recent tests and I think we have taken a step forward on the whole bike as well. I am confident for the race now. We also tried out a qualifying tyre in the tests to improve what I can gain in one fast lap and we did well with that. I think we have improved everything. I am happy to go racing and we still have some new things to try. We will fight during the race weekend as we did a lot of laps to get a good race pace in testing. We had a good test and the base to start from is perfect.”

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