A NEW DAWN?
FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
It may have been the end of the year, but after a late phone call and some last-minute flight booking, I got myself to Aragon for the first of the 2020 World Superbike tests, even though we are still technically in 2019... but are these tests really important, and what can we take from them?
Some new faces and some old were present at the two-day test. Aragon, basically on a hill in the middle of nowhere, was still a victim of November weather and both days started miserably. For the first few hours, apart from the occasional engine start-up, no one ventured out on circuit. Although special mention has to go to Ana Carrasco, who was first out and almost last in on both days, completing more laps on her Kawasaki 400 than anyone else!
Talking of Kawasaki, new boy in green Alex Lowes was settling himself in beside the five-time champion at KRT. Working his way methodically through understanding the ZX-10RR, he ended fourth fastest overall. Jonathan Rea only needed 27 laps on the first day to secure third fastest, but he didn't venture out of the garage on the second day. First impressions are usually quite telling and I predict Alex Lowes to be strong from FP1 at Phillip Island next year. In the same way it came together for Rea when he swapped from Honda to Kawasaki, could it be the same for Lowes in 2020? It looks good.
Although a few personnel changes have happened inside the pit box at Pata Yamaha, Michael Van Der Mark stays with the team for next year and was joined for the first time in anger by Toprak Razgatlioglu. Toprak rode the 2019 bike and expressed his newly-found confidence of riding in the wet on the Yamaha YZF-R1M. He looked smooth and comfortable from the get go, actually finishing in front of Van Der Mark in terms of fastest lap from the two days. Obviously one fastest lap doesn't mean everything, but it shows promise for Razgatlioglu, who was let go by Kawasaki this year. Will they be regretting this decision come next November? I’d say so.
Next door to Pata Yamaha at the test was the other Yamaha effort. GRT Yamaha, for their second year in the main class, had two brand new riders. Making the step up from Supersport, Federico Caricasulo, and drafted in from MotoAmerica was Garrett Gerloff. With his introduction to WSBK electronics (MotoAmerica run similar set ups to BSB) and his first run on Pirellis, Gerloff was a real surprise. Eclipsing his new teammate and finishing only a shade slower than Van Der Mark on a track he’d never seen before is really promising. It’s just a shame that Laguna Seca has been dropped from next year’s calendar, but it’s great to see a Yank back up there. Keep your eyes peeled for him.
On the other side of the pond (or pit lane) Leon
Camier rode the Barni Ducati at the test. He was early out on both days and looked comfortable straight away in the wet/damp conditions. A crash on the second day ended his testing prematurely, but I hope he can start 2020 off strongly, as for the first time in a number of years he’s on a bike that can be competitive. If he can just get a bit of luck on his side, expect to see him challenging for podiums and he looked happy in the camp, which is what matters.
Alongside Barni, the factory Ducati team were also in attendance. Chaz Davies stays for 2020, joined by this year’s BSB champ Scott Redding. After finding his form on the new V4R towards the end of this season, Chaz looked at home once again, ending the two days in Aragon second overall. If he can start next season the way he ended this one, will 2020 be the year he finally takes it to JR?
On the other side of the Ducati pit box sat WSBK debutant Redding. Totting up more laps than anyone else on a superbike over the test, he continued the form that saw him take the British Championship spoils. Plus the addition of factory electronics didn't hinder him and he finished the test fastest, the only man to get under the 1.50 barrier. Seeing how he went about his first year in Britain and learning the circuits, I struggle to think he will have any problem learning a few more in 2020. Jonathan Rea’s strongest competition next year? I think so, and then some.