Luke Mossey and the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team fired in the fastest lap of the Cartagena test today (Friday), smashing the lap record to put himself at the top of the times and just ahead of James Ellison and John Hopkins, with the three leading contenders representing three different manufacturers.
Mossey set his fastest lap this morning in the opening session; feeling confident of dipping into the 1m:32s barrier but the 24-year old fired in a lap that put him at the top of the times for the day. Ellison was improving his pace on the McAMS Yamaha and he pushed into the 32’s, with Hopkins hot on his heels as the Moto Rapido Ducati team also made improvements on day three.
Leon Haslam had opted to focus on race runs and the 2016 title runner-up was equal fourth fastest with Christian Iddon on the Tyco BMW, who took strides forward on day three to move closer to his rivals and remain just ahead of his team-mate Davide Giugliano.
Michael Laverty remained at a similar pace as yesterday, working through various components, but lapping within the 1m:33s barrier ahead of Martin Jessopp and Billy McConnell on the Quattro Plant FS-3 Kawasaki, who ended the day prematurely with a crash, although he was unhurt.
Taylor Mackenzie completed his final day at Cartagena on the Bennetts Suzuki just ahead of the Smiths Racing BMW’s of Lee Jackson and Peter Hickman.
MCE British Superbike Championship, Cartagena test, day three (times supplied by teams)
Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 1m:32.3s
James Ellison (McAMS Yamaha) 1m:32.5s
John Hopkins (Moto Rapido Ducati) 1m:32.8s
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 1m:33.1s
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) 1m:33.1s
Davide Giugliano (Tyco BMW) 1m:33.3s
Michael Laverty (McAMS Yamaha) 1m:33.4s
Martin Jessopp (RidersMotorcycle BMW) 1m:33.6s
Billy McConnell (Quattro Plant FS3 Kawasaki) 1m:33.6s
Taylor Mackenzie (Bennetts Suzuki) 1m:33.9s
Lee Jackson (Smiths BMW) 1m:34.6s
Peter Hickman (Smiths BMW) 1m:34.7s
The opening round of the 2017 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship kicks off at Donington Park on March 31 – April 1/2.