WSB: Sykes takes control in Rea's absence at Jerez

Tom Sykes topped the second day of this week’s World Superbike test in Jerez in the absence of team-mate Jonathan Rea.

Rea had to head back to London on Monday evening to collect his MBE, leaving Sykes to fly the flag alone for KRT.

Second fastest on the opening day, Sykes significantly improved his time to 1’39.692, just a whisker of the fastest time Rea had set on day one – 1’39.650.

The Yorkshireman’s time came earlier in the day, with many riders reporting the track to be much greasier in the hottest temperatures in the afternoon than it was on Monday.

Loris Baz was second quickest as he continues to both get to grips with the Althea BMW and riding a superbike after two years in MotoGP. The Frenchman was 0.776 seconds behind Sykes and looked comfortable out on track, commenting he’d found a particularly good feeling with the front end of the S1000RR.

Eugene Laverty, who had been further down the timesheets in the morning, improved his time in the afternoon to again place third quickest for Milwaukee Aprilia, 0.859 seconds off Sykes.

Jordi Torres, who is still injured after that massive off in Qatar, was fourth quickest and still less than a second off Sykes as he concluded his debut test with MV Agusta.

TOP STORIES

• Three bikes, two litres: Live with Keanu Reeves
• 10 top toasty neck warmers
• Evoke Urban S electric bike coming to the UK
• BSB: Haslam returns to action after Brands Hatch crash
• Product review: Ogio RIG 9800 wheeled gear bag

British Superbike star Leon Haslam was fifth despite two days of riding taking its toll on his injured ankle, he was just 1.076 slower than Sykes despite riding a BSB-spec ZX-10R with no electronics.

The second Milwaukee Aprilia of Lorenzo Savadori was sixth ahead of Haslam’s BSB team-mate Luke Mossey, who made big strides forward as he tested a number of new components.

Leandro Mercado rounded out the superbike teams for Orelac Racing, who step up to the superbike class with the Argentinian on an ex-Puccetti Racing Kawasaki next year.

All teams testing over the first two days will now pack up and move on, with the exception of KRT who are joined by Ducati, Red Bull Honda, PATA Yamaha from the World Superbike paddock, most of the MotoGP grid and Honda’s British Superbike team for the rest of the week. 

Have a browse for your next bike on MCN Bikes ForSale website or use the MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.