WSB Almeria Tests

A dozen or so teams from those competing in this years World Superbike, Supersport and Superstock Championships that took the extra time to come down to Almeria for a two day test session, were very much “all smiles” when the chequered flag finally brought an end to proceedings.

As is usual, “Circuito de Almeria” was blessed with bright sunshine and everyone´s expectations of having a dry track and being able to get new riders and bikes acquainted with one another were realized, in some cases with so much time to spare that the luxury of being able to do “practice starts” was not a problem.

Jacob Smrz, Guandalini Ducati, was fast from the outset, testing various new bits and pieces, he being the only rider to dip below 1min 37sec. His rookie team mate, current Superstock champion, Brendan Roberts took matters more steadily and concentrated on finding a setting that suited his new steed rather than looking for times.

Brendan must have felt very much at home with his “old team”, Zerox Ducati , Superstock, just up the pit lane and his fellow Aussies, Broc Parkes and Anthony West, right next door. There is no need to go all the way to Philip Island to hear so many Aussie accents in the pit lane!!!

The pitboards of Gregorio Lavilla, Pro Ride Honda and Mikoto Tamada, Kawasaki showed them to be very much “on the pace” and only fractions off the best. Without exception the teams said that they considered the few extra miles of the “detour” on the way to the Portimao test to be worthwhile.

Being a step ahead of the game when arriving at the Portugese venue is not to be ignored!