Sykes gets 2016 underway on hybrid ZX-10R

Tom Sykes has gotten the 2016 World Superbike season underway in a three-day test at Motorland Aragon, running a hybrid ZX-10R based on the 2015 model but running significant new parts from the 2016 version ahead of next month’s first full test on the new model.

“We are heading back in a good direction to something we know. We ironed out some teething problems and got a general feel for things on the opening days and then today, when the sun was out from start to finish, we got our heads down and worked through a whole book of tricks.

“The team worked overtime – parts in, parts out – all day. They all worked really efficiently and kept us on track for the maximum time possible. The overall performance of the Ninja ZX-10R at these tests is something that excites me. Overall the lap times were really consistent. The feeling was easier to achieve than I have been used to. It is still early days but this has definitely been a good start to our winter test programme.”

Completing 72 laps on the final day of the test, Sykes will return to track next week at Jerez, where he’ll be joined by teammate Jonathan Rea, who sat out the first test for the birth of his second child.

The duo will be joined by Sylvain Guintoli and and Alex Lowes, making their debut on the new Crescent Yamahas.