Giugliano tops Jerez test from Sykes & Rea

Author: Oli Rushby Posted: 28 Jan 2015

Ducati’s Davide Giugliano topped the final European pre-season World Superbike test in Jerez with a lap time almost a second under the circuit record. 

After testing was disrupted last week as a result of bad weather, riders were keen to make the most of two clear days at the circuit in Southern Spain.

Kawasaki duo Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea were also on record pace with the second and third fastest times respectively. Chaz Davies was fourth on the timesheet marking a strong pre-season for Ducati. Leon Haslam continued his early form on the Aprilia with the fifth fastest lap time.

Crescent Suzuki’s Alex Lowes set the sixth fastest time, 0.8 seconds off Giugliano’s pace, with world superbike rookie Michael van der Mark in seventh.

van der Mark’s team mate, World Champion Sylvain Guintoli sat out the majority of the test after a huge highside on his first flying lap left him with shoulder and ankle injuries. Having lost out on time in last week’s tests, Guintoli is now two days down on his rivals heading into Phillip Island.

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Former Moto2 race winner Nico Terol was eighth on the Althea Ducati, 1.4 seconds off the pace while Randy de Puniet and Matteo Baiocco rounded out the top ten.

EBR’s Niccolo Canepa failed to replicate his performance in last week’s Portimao test, the Italian 3.4 seconds off the pace. His new teammate, Larry Pegram was last on the timesheets and even outpaced by Kawasaki’s supersport riders.

The World Superbike freight will now be shipped to Australia, where riders will get one last test before the first round in Phillip Island later next month.

Jerez World Superbike Test – Final Times

1. Davide Giugliano – Aruba.it Ducati – 1’39.332
2. Tom Sykes – Kawasaki Racing – +0.362
3. Jonathan Rea – Kawasaki Racing - +0.413
4. Chaz Davies – Aruba.it Ducati - +.730
5. Leon Haslam – Red Devils Aprilia - +0.737
6. Alex Lowes – Crescent Suzuki – +0.827
7. Michael van der Mark – Pata Honda - +1.258
8. Nico Terol – Althea Ducati - +1.433
9. Randy de Puniet – Crescent Suzuki - +1.645
10. Matteo Biaocco – Althea Ducati - +2.080
11. Jordi Torres – Red Devils Aprilia - +2.651
12. Sylvain Barrier – BMW Motorrad Italia - +2.672
13. David Salom – Pedercini Kawasaki - +2.852
14. Leandro Mercado – Barni Racing Ducati - +.3.245
15. Niccolo Canepa – Hero EBR - +3.411
16. Larry Pegram – Hero EBR - +7.664