With the sun shining down on the Circuito de Jerez, teams began to prepare for the WorldSBK Championship this week and Jonathan Rea topped the first day. With all eyes on Jordi Torres’ first ride with MV Agusta and Loris Baz on the Althea BMW Racing Team, anticipation was in the air.

Milwaukee Aprilia were the first team out on the track, it didn’t take long for Kawasaki Racing Team to set the pace. With four days left of testing action, it’ll be an interesting week.

2017 WorldSBK World Champion Rea had a sensational opening day around the Spanish circuit, as he was never challenged at the top of the timing screens on Monday. Heading out in the mid-morning, the Northern Irish rider continues with his smooth and natural riding style as his team work on the 2018 parts.

Setting a time of 1.39.650, he was 0.355 ahead of the rest of the field, present from Wednesday onwards, the Champion will receive his MBE tomorrow back in England meaning he is to miss Tuesday on track. Whilst his team-mate Tom Sykes will be present for all five days and was able to put in an impressive day of lap times around the 4.4km circuit on Monday.

Hoping to iron out some issues already encountered with the ZX-10RR, Sykes has been working relentlessly – putting in 67 laps - with his team to build on the pace and understand the limits of his Ninja.

First out on track in Southern Spain, Eugene Laverty has been using the track time available to himself and his Aprilia team to the full potential, putting in 74 laps. Struggling around Jerez when the championship visited the track in October, the Irish rider has been able to achieve some strong times as he begins to understand the development needed for 2018.

He was able to end the day with a lap time of 1.41.183, putting him 1.5s behind Rea. On the other side of the garage, Lorenzo Savadori ended the day in the top five, 1.7s off the top of the timing screens.

Making his return to the WorldSBK paddock, Loris Baz’s fastest time of a 1.41.352 put him in the top four on his first day with the BMW team. Making big improvements in the afternoon, Baz was able to put in a strong amount of laps – 75 - as he starts to understand his S1000RR with one more day out on track tomorrow.

Struggling with levels of fitness following an operation last week, Jordi Torres had a measured introduction to the Italian machine but the Spaniard highlighted the importance of building a relationship with his team. However, with the fitness levels deteriorating Italian Alex de Angelis was able to head out on the 1000 F4 to secure some data for the team.

Leandro Mercado, who missed the final round of the season at Qatar, came out on the ZX-10RR in the afternoon to evaluate his first impressions with the Orelac Racing VerdNatura Team.

Putting in a strong stint under the sunny skies, his lap times began to improve as the day drew to a close.  Yonny Hernandez is only present for the opening day of testing with Pedercini Racing, as the team begin to evaluate their options for next season.

The Columbian rider spent the day getting to grips with a WorldSBK machine, as it was his first time on the ZX-10RR beast. Using the day to the full advantage, he was able to get an impressive amount of laps in and a strong afternoon.

Full Day One Official Times:

1. Jonathan Rea               Laps: 42  1:39.650          
2. Tom Sykes                    Laps: 67  1:40.005             +0.355
3. Eugene Laverty           Laps: 74   1:41.183           +1.533 
4. Loris Baz                        Laps: 75   1:41.352            +1.702 
6. Lorenzo Savadori        Laps: 75   1:41.374           +1.724 
7. Jordi Torres                   Laps: 90   1:41.628           +1.978 
8. Leandro Mercado      Laps: 47   1:42.041           +2.391 
9. Yonny Hernandez       Laps: 62   1:42.476           +2.826 

Making the move back over from the MotoGP World Championship, Loris Baz will take on the 2018 WorldSBK Championship with the Althea BMW Racing Team.

The French rider last competed in the championship back in 2014, and it eager to get his new challenge underway.

Starting his career back in the European Superstock 600 Championship back in 2008 he won the title that same year, and worked his way through the classes before making his debut in the WorldSBK class in 2012.

Riding for the Kawasaki Racing Team in the WorldSBK class, Baz was able to rack up two pole positions, 14 podium finishes and two victories throughout his three years in the WorldSBK class, and will be looking to improve this tally with Althea BMW Racing Team.

Baz explains how keen he is to get started with the BMW S 1000 RR: “I wanted to find the best solution for my future and I think I have found this in team Althea."

"I have known Genesio for a long time, so we talked and, to be honest, it was very easy to come to an agreement. I know the team is strong – they won the title with Carlos Checa after all – and I consider the project a very interesting one, also in light of the changes to the regulation."

"I’m very happy with my decision. I want to thank Genesio Bevilacqua and BMW of course, and am looking forward to getting out on track with the S1000RR for the first time during the upcoming Jerez tests." Concluded Baz

Thoughts are now turning to 2018 in the WorldSBK Championship and teams are heading to Circuito de Jerez this week for the first pre-season test.

With the new regulations coming into place for next season, teams will be working hard to prepare for the changes. 2017 champions Kawasaki Racing Team, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team, Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team, MV Agusta Reparto Corse and Althea BMW Racing Team will all be testing over the week, working on their 2018 pace.

Kawasaki Puccetti Racing will not be present at the Circuto de Jerez test this week following the tragic loss of WorldSBK rider Toprak Razgatlioglu’s father last week. Initially intending on attending for the majority of the week, they have postponed the test to a later date.

Present around the 4.4km circuit from Monday to Friday, Kawasaki Racing Team are putting in a strong stint, with champion Jonathan Rea joining Tom Sykes from the 21^st.

Working on the new parts, their overall pace and how to modify their ZX-10RR with the new regulations, the Barcelona-based team will have a busy week. However with the sheer talent on top of the strong work ethic of Sykes and Rea, it won’t be a hard task to get 2018 underway on the right foot. 

Following a stunning season in 2017, the work never stops for Sykes and Rea and it will be interesting to follow their pace.

Making his debut with Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team, Leon Camier heads to Jerez for three days this week as he begins to understand the Fireblade CBR1000RR SP2.

Making the switch from Italian manufacturer MV Agusta, Camier will be working hard on his initial feeling with the Fireblade as it’s in its second year of racing action. After the stunning performance we have seen from the British rider over the past season, there will no doubt be some early progress made with the Red Bull machine.

Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark will take on the YZF-R1’s around the Southern Spanish circuit this week, present on Thursday and Friday with the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team.

After a tough weekend in the Pirelli Spanish Round this season, the duo will be hoping to improve their pace around the circuit and build on the podium finishes they were able to secure this season.

Only the third manufacturer to secure a podium in 2017, Yamaha are making some strong steps and with a two years under their belts since their return, they will be no doubt continue to improve and make some strong steps.

Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team-mates Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri will be another team to begin to modify their Paniagle R’s around the 2018 regulations, as only the second team to have won a race this season.

Both riders were able to secure podium finishes around the Circuit in 2017, and with some big team changes in the place of Ernesto Marinelli leaving, there will be plenty to work on in the Ducati Corse garages this week.

MV Agusta Reparto Corse are another team to welcome their new rider this week, with Jordi Torres taking on the 1000 F4 despite sustaining an injury in Qatar. Not putting too much pressure on himself, the Spaniard is looking forward to meeting the team and beginning to understand the bike.

Loris Baz will make his much anticipated WorldSBK return this week with the Althea BMW Racing Team, present on both Monday and Tuesday.

The Frenchman is keen to understand not only the potential of his new bike but also his pace compared to his rivals. Baz will be one to watch around the 4.4km circuit. 

Hoping to make some welcomed updates to their Aprilia machines, Eugene Laverty and Lorenzo Savadori will be flying the flag for Milwaukee Aprilia around Jerez this week.

The duo had a strong year but will be aiming to break into podium pace for 2018, and it will be interesting to see how the new regulations will alter the teams pace.

Whilst Leandro Mercado will be trying out the Kawasaki ZX-10RR for the first time, as he will be present with new WorldSBK team Orelac Racing VerdNatura.

Meanwhile, Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) returns on his Panigale to continue to build on the strong pace himself and his team had begun to build throughout 2017, and another team who could benefit from the new regulations, it will be interesting to watch them develop. 

source: worldsbk.com

After narrowly missing out on the European Superstock 1000 Championship this season, Toprak Razgatlioglu will move up the ranks with the Kawasaki Pucetti Racing team, making the step into the World Superbike Championship for 2018 following his impressive season with the ZX-10RR.

With the added confidence of knowing the team, the young Turkish riders talent has shone through this season, winning three races in 2017 he missed out on the title by eight points.

Fans will now be treated to his stunningly loose style on board the ZX-10RR in the WorldSBK class, as the 21 year old will have the opportunity of battling against Jonathan Rea and Chaz Davies.

Razgatlioglu is understandably delighted about the news: "2017 was really a good season and unfortunately we missed the STK1000 title after the injury in France for very few points."

"If I could run to Magny Cours, I would definitely have had more to fight. I'm happy to go to Superbike next year! I am now in different seasons with the team Puccetti, I know the team, its professionalism and therefore I know that I will have everything I need to learn the new bike and soon to fight for good results. I thank Manuel and Kawasaki for this opportunity and I cannot wait for the end of the month test at Jerez to get back on track. "

Manuel Puccetti, team principal adds: "In 2018 we will continue to deploy one bike in the Superbike Championship. This year, but also in the past, Toprak proved to be a talented pilot and we are confident that he is ready to make this move to the top category in the world."

"Our first season as a customer team was positive and the experience we first acquired with Randy, then with Anthony and top riders like Haslam and Guintoli surely served us to be ready to face the better next year."

"The new regulation could allow us to reduce the gap between our bikes and officers, so we are confident that in the 2018 season we will have all the means to allow Toprak to learn this bike early and be competitive."