HUDDERSFIELD World Superbikes star Tom Sykes has enjoyed a confidence-boosting two-day testing session at Aragon’s Motorland circuit.
Currently second in the championship standings, 28 points behind leader Aprilia rider Sylvain Guintoli, Sykes and the Kawasaki Racing Team completed their planned test schedules without a hitch on the Ninja ZX-10R.
Sykes slipped off the pace in the race for the title in the last round at Portimao when a podium in the first race was followed by frustration in the second as a collision with a kerb put paid to the 27-year-old’s hopes of adding to his points tally.
The next round is at Italy’s Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari at Imola on June 30 and both Sykes and teammate Loris Baz lapped strongly in generally hot weather conditions in Spain.
“Testing went really well. It was typical of Kawasaki’s positive approach that they have been responsive to my comments and we had a very well structured test plan,” said Sykes.
“It was a good test in preparation for a hot summer of racing as we had more than 30 degrees air temperature and over 50°C on the track, but we still set good lap times.
“On the final day I did over 90 laps and I can tell you, after that many laps of Aragon you feel like you have worked a little bit!”
And Sykes felt that the successful run had helped put the disappointment of Portugal behind him.
“It was good for me to get on the bike and refresh my mind after falling on the sighting lap at the last race in Portimao,” said Sykes.
