Kawasaki wrap-up 2009 tests and head home

The Kawasaki World Superbike Racing Team has now carried out three Spanish tests in December – Cartagena, Almeria and now finally Jerez – allowing 2010 riding-line-up Chris Vermeulen and Tom Sykes to get to grips with their machines before official testing starts at Portimao in January.

For Vermeulen, the final Jerez test, carried out in fully wet conditions on day one but ever changing conditions on day two, was still worthwhile. “I probably did about 45 to 50 laps in the rain on Monday,” said Vermeulen. “It was consistent rain and I got a good chance to try out the bike on a wet setting and with wet tyres. I know Jerez quite well and the overall feeling, and how we improved the bike, was very good. I was impressed with the grip level and how we worked with the bike.”

Yorkshireman Sykes tested at greater length on day two in Jerez than Vermeulen, while the Aussie rider did only one timed lap, as adverse weather finally caught up with a schedule that had enjoyed dry conditions at Cartagena and Almeria.

Vermeulen is already looking forward to the next test to evaluate new components and settings in dry conditions. “We had some things we wanted to try on the engine, side, electronics and suspension and we tried as much as we could in the wet. Normally things relate from wet to dry within reason. We definitely improved the bike but we really need to re-test some of these parts and settings in the dry again. The next tests will be the official ones at Portimao in late January and that will be good to evaluate where we are compared to our competition.”

After such an intense period of testing, the whole team are looking forward to getting home – Sykes and most of the team to England and Vermeulen to his native Australia.