Superbike: The point after the official tests in Portimao

Having recently concluded the two-day official test at the Autodromo International do Algarve, we give the word to the drivers busy on the track, who used the time at their disposal to test new components in view of the continuation of the season and to improve the package already in their possession.

Tom Sykes, who set the best time on both days despite the well-known wrist problems, and his partner Loris Baz were mainly focused on the setting of the ZX-10R and on some new features, while the team's third driver, David Salom tested new elements developed for next year's bike on his EVO.

“It was a very useful test. Yesterday the track wasn't in perfect condition, but we still managed to make some progress. We started the second day a little late, we still had some things to fix, and we didn't have enough time” – he said Tom Sykes at the end of today – “We still tried different geometries and further improved the general feeling. Making a good time wasn't our main objective, but it's always good to finish in front. I believe we have a competitive package for the season finale. Now I will enjoy the summer break at home in England and hope to get over the hand and wrist problem completely.”

At Aprilia, Marco Melandri and Sylvain Guintoli gave the team the opportunity to collect data on electronic settings and adjustments different from those they usually use on race weekends.
Unfortunately their work was interrupted by two falls, one for each rider: Marco Melandri crashed yesterday at high speed and suffered a bruise to his left shoulder and right knee, which in any case did not prevent him from taking to the track again today and to complete 75 laps in total.
The Frenchman, however, ended his testing phase early today due to a crash at turn 2: given the slight muscle bruise suffered on his left thigh and the abrasion on his foot, Guintoli preferred to stop as a precaution.

The Ducati Superbike Team, with Davide Giugliano and Chaz Davies, concentrated on testing some solutions previously prepared and which had not been tested during the last races of the championship.

Over the course of the two days, the riders present had the opportunity to test some development solutions brought by Pirelli, the Championship's sole supplier, some of which could prove useful in the particularly hot rounds of next season.