WSBK Portimao Test Preview
WSBK Portimao test preview
The test is the official launch to the 2009 racing season which will see a record 32 riders lining up on the grid. The Portimao test will also be the first time all seven factory teams will meet head-to-head. Paul Bird Motorsports Kawasaki Racing Team of Makoto Tamada and Broc Parkes will face their competition for the first time after being absent from the December tests in Kyalami, South Africa.
Ducati appears to be the team to beat, based on their results from the Kyalami tests in December. Michel Fabrizio recorded the top time while new teammate Noriyuki Haga also put up impressive results.
Yamahas line-up of AMA champion Ben Spies and Tom Sykes will ride on the new R1.
New factory teams Aprilia and BMW will demonstrate how much their teams have developed since the South Africa test. Max Biaggi and Shinya Nakano will represent Aprilia on the new RSV-4 while Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus will continue to find a good set-up on BMWs S1000RR.
Riders will also test the WSBKs new Superpole knock-out qualifying format. After the morning sessions on each day of testing, the top 20 performers will return to the track for a Superpole simulation.
Related Reading
WSBK to race a record 32 entrants
WSBK: Kyalami test day three results
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