Editor

Chris Vermeulen and Tom Sykes have enjoyed an extensive testing programme this winter in a new-look Kawasaki Racing Team set-up, but the official Portimao test last weekend provided the first chance for them to ride against all their main 2010 rivals.
New Showa suspension and Pirelli tyres were tested by the British-based team in both dry and wet track conditions, and all delivered encouraging results for the new Kawasaki rider line-up.


The last test of the pre-season, which takes place shortly before the start of the opening race weekend in Australia, is now a date all in the official Kawasaki squad are looking forward to.


A bit of bad luck near the end of the Portimao test stopped Vermeulen from making the most of the softer tyres available to him, but the Aussie rider, who has ten career wins so far in the SBK category, said, "It went quite good but we were a bit unlucky with the weather. It is great to have learned the track before we come back here to race. We have different issues, some of the same issues, but we are definitely improving the bike. It is moving forward in the right direction. To be honest I did my best time on the standard, hard race tyre. At the end we had a small technical problem so we could not use the soft race/qualifying tyre."


Tom Sykes, who was one place behind Vermeulen in the rankings at the tests, said "On our latest suspension there are areas where we have improved and generally there is a better feeling of what's happening with the combination of tarmac, tyres and suspension. The feeling at the handlebars is definitely better overall, giving more direct feedback. We have progressed, but we still have some work to do. I am sure we can bring what we need to Phillip Island."



Source: World Superbike

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