Yesterday saw the end of the five-day trials for the World Championship Superbike and Supersport at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.
The tests were dogged by unstable weather but nothing got in the way of the performance of the teams and drivers with Alex Lowes (Suzuki GSX-R1000 K14), the WSB rookie, fastest on the Autodrome track with a time of 1:42.5 closely followed by teammate Eugene Laverty with 1:42.6.
Still in the running with 1:42.9 was British rider Jonathan Rea (CBR 1000RR) from Pata Honda.
Davide Giugliano was fourth fastest on his Ducati Panigale (1:43.0) with team mate Chaz Davies ranked sixth.
In fifth place was the Italian from Aprilia - Marco Melandri - while Leon Haslam (Pata Honda) got seventh place.
Also noteworthy was Claudio Corti (Yakhnich MV Agusta) who finished in ninth place with his MV F4.
The results from these five days racing are the first indicator of the competitiveness of the teams and drivers for the new 2014 season, especially since now both the riders from Voltcom Crescent Suzuki, which debuted its new Motec electronic management system which made significant performance enhancements for Suzuki as shown by the times obtained.
The Championship kicks off on February 23 in Australia, and will be at the Portimão Circuit for the seventh consecutive year on the weekend of 04 to 06 July 2014.
Tickets are now on sale with 20% off until 31 May at the AIA Store or via email tickets@autodromodoalgarve.com.
