Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team-mates Marco Melandri and Chaz Davies continue with their impressive pace aboard their Panigale R machines, making them a force to be reckoned with as the World Superbike World Championship counts down to the season opener next month.

Both riders stuck to a meticulous testing programme over the two days at Jerez, and the duo were able to put in some very consistent times across the 250 laps they recorded as a team. Ending the two days with just 0.011s to split them, returning Melandri came out on top ahead of Davies.

Engine, electronic and chassis upgrades have been developed for the 2017 Ducati, and the pair focused on making many set up comparisons.

Melandri ended the test with a time of 1:40.313, and left with a good feeling: “It’s been a really positive test. I expected some more difficulties after the meniscus surgery, but actually I felt quite well. The team is doing a great job and everyday I feel more comfortable on the bike. We still struggle a bit on fresh tyres, also because with the cold climate it’s more difficult to warm them up, but we’re heading in the right direction. I would have liked to do a race simulation, but we’ll wait until Portimão because I had some blisters in my hands after such a long break. Physically I feel fine though, I recovered completely and I’m sure I’ll be 100 percent fit for Phillip Island.”

Welshman Davies points out they have more work to do, but his lap time (1:40.324) still put him in the top five: “All in all, this first test has been OK. It’s always a bit tiring from a physical standpoint because we step on the bike for the first time in two months, but we progressively got into the swing of things. Also, Ducati brought a lot of stuff and we ticked off the most important items on the list, but we still got work to do in Portimão. We got progressively quicker, even mixing things up a bit in terms of our setup. That’s what testing is about, working through a program slowly but surely to step up to new challenges. If I had to race tomorrow, we would probably stick to a more familiar setting, but we’ll focus on pushing the boundaries before heading to Australia.”

2017 WorldSBK Jerez test has come to an end in Southern Spain, ending with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) on top as the 27 riders out on track continue to make steps towards 2017.

Reigning world champion Rea continues with his strong pre-season form aboard the Kawasaki ZX-10RR and despite a crash at the mid-point through the day, was able to lead the way with a lap time of 1.39.809s. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) had one final push at the end of day two, to boost himself into third position overall, 0.410 behind his team-mate.

Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) stunned under the Spanish sun today, impressive not only with the length of time spent on track – producing over 70 laps – but setting a time only 0.111s off Rea’s. Thought to be testing with Pirelli’s qualifying tyre, his lap time of 1.39.920 is a clear indication of the pace the Aprilia RSV4 RF has heading into the new season. Meanwhile, team-mate Eugene Laverty continues to work on set-up on the brand new machine and ended the day in the top 14; the Irishman set a lap time of 1.41.886 despite being involved in a collision with Randy Krummenacher.

Italian Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) finished the first test of 2017 in fourth position overall, after leading the way at lunch time. Most notably Melandri finished ahead of Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing –Ducati), as they continue to test the 2017 updates to the Panigale R. Both riders were just 0.5s off the top of the time sheets as they completed the top five with the Italian machine.

Rolling out the brand new Fireblade for its second day on track, Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team) was able to put in a solid run of 67 laps on his second day despite continuing to suffer with his knee injury. Improving on his day one time, the Kentucky Kid’s 1.40.548 put him in the top six in Andalucia. Stefan Bradl (Honda World Superbike Team) wasn’t far behind, also improving on his day one time – with 1.40.854 – to put him in ninth. The German continues to adjust to the switch from MotoGP™, whilst developing and understanding the 2017 CBR1000RR SP2.

Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) continues to improve and develop his YZF R1 throughout the pre-season regime, putting in 83 laps on day two and the Brit was also able to improve on his time set on day one by 0.458s – with a time of 1.40.600. New team-mate Michael van der Mark secured a spot in the top ten at a circuit the Dutchman has enjoyed success at in the past. His lap time of 1.41.450 was an improvement on his time set from the first day.

BARNI Racing Team’s lone recruit Xavi Fores continues to develop and improve his pace aboard the Panigale R, ending the day in eighth and under a second behind Rea’s time. Rookie to the class, Randy Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) had a challenging second day at Circuito de Jerez. Crashing with just two hours of the day remaining, the Swiss rider suffered for the afternoon but will still able to improve on his time set in the opening day in Spain.

Markus Reiterberger (Althea BMW Racing Team) may have finished down in 12th position, however the German is continuing to make progress aboard the S 1000 RR. Improving on his time set yesterday by almost a second, it’s clear big steps are being made. Team-mate Jordi Torres had a more difficult day, as the Spaniard suffered a crash in the morning as he high sided at turn three. The Spaniard suffered with an injury to his right arm and was forced to sit out for the remainder of the test.

World Supersport teams didn’t miss the chance to test their machines ahead of the season opener in Phillip Island, as three teams took to the track for the second and final day. Zulfhami Khairudin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) continued with his competitive pace, and the Malaysian rider ended the test on top – setting a final time of 1.44.410. Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) made a massive improvement on day two as he begins to alter his riding style to suit the Honda, he ended in second position, just ahead of his team-mate Robin Mulhauser. Spaniard Nacho Calero took fourth spot overall in the test, ahead of Kyle Ryde (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) as he begins to understand his new team and ZX-6R. Hikari Okubo (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) rounded out the WorldSSP riders, taking over two seconds off his initial time.

European Superstock 1000 teams were also out on track at Jerez; with both Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team, Althea BMW Racing Team and Althea MF84 putting in laps today. Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.ir Racing – Junior Team) set the president on the final day – with a time of 1.43.343 - improving on his time from day one. As well as this he was ahead of his team-mate, Mike Jones who was second in the class. Marco Faccani (Althea BMW Racing Team) ended the test in third, ahead of Julian Puffe (Althea MF84) in fourth.

Full times below:

WorldSBK

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team): 1.39.809

Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia Team): 1.39.920

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team): 1.40.219

Marco Melandri (Aruba It.Racing- Ducati): 1.40.313

Chaz Davies (Aruba It.Racing- Ducati): 1.40.324

Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team): 1.40.548

Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official Team): 1.40.600

Xavi Forés (Barni Racing): 1.40.738

Stefan Bradl (Honda World Superbike Team):1.40.854

Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Team): 1.41.450

Randy Krummenacher (Puccetti Kawasaki Racing):1.41.566

Markus Reiterberger (Althea BMW Racing):1.41.578

Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing): 1.41.619

Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia Team): 1.41.886

World Supersport

Zulfhami Khairuddin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura): 1.44.410

Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda):1.45.199

Robin Mulhauser (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda): 1.45.410

Nacho Calero (Orelac Racing VerdNatura):1.45.507

Kyle Ryde (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing): 1.45.625

Hikari Okubo (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda):1.45.852

Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha): Sin tiempo registrado

Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha): Sin tiempo registrado

European STK000

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing-Junior Team):1.43.343

Mike Jones (Aruba.it Racing-Junior Team): 1.43.670

Marco Faccani (Althea BMW Racing Team): 1.43.769

Julian Puffe (Althea MF 84): 1.46.176

Barni Racing team completed two strong days at Jerez de la Frontera, leaving the circuit happy with the progress Xavi Fores made aboard the Ducati Panigale R.

Times were recorded at the unofficial test and the Spaniard ended in the top eight overall, but with times close at the top; Fores’ lap of 1.40.738 meant he was only half a second off the top three.

The team has no time to rest as they head to Portimao this weekend for the second test of 2017 so far and are hoping to focus on some grip issues identified this week, as well as hoping to make the most of the engine power.

Fores explains how he feels after these two days: "These have been two important days, which have allowed us to put in many kilometers. We are not at 100% yet because we are trying several new components and we still need more time to work."

"The goal at the next Portimao test is to lower the lap time by 0.75 tenths, and I am convinced that by working in the right direction we can reach this goal. I'm very happy with how we worked here in Jerez, and I'm happy to be reunited with my bike."

Honda WorldSBK rider Nicky Hayden was able to get his hands on the new Honda CBR1000RR SP2 for the first time at the Jerez test this week.

Anticipation has been building for months surrounding the new Fireblade, and it is now the team’s first full taste of what 2017 will have to hold.

The American spoke to WorldSBK.com about his initial feelings with his new beast, how his recovery is going and the feelings he is getting from the Jerez test:

How has day one on the new Fireblade gone?

“We’re very happy to get out on the new bike and to start doing some work. It’s never easy - the first day with the new bike.  You have some running in and shakedown, and that’s what we did for most of the day. But in the last couple of exits we were able to push and to see where we’re at, to start eliminating problems.”

What differences are there?

“There’s definitely some differences especially with the fairing. But with riding; the geometry is very similar and the riding positioning is very similar. In fact we’re using the same seat and riding tank as last year, so I would say that’s similar. Chassis handling wise it’s not so dramatically different, but for sure there’s some little things here and there. We’ve got to work pretty much in every area, to see which direction to go.”

Are you and Bradl working closely together on this or are you going your own way at the moment?

“For the moment definitely, some of the tech glitches at the start of the day were similar. He’s kind of doing the hard work I guess, because with my physical condition I prefer to not to be doing test runs – heading in and out. Luckily he was able to do that work for the both of us, so we can both start riding properly.”

What happened and how are you feeling now?

“I was riding flat track in Spain in November, between the Aragon test and Jerez test. I caught my foot coming in to a corner, laid over and just twisted it around. I tore my MCL so I went back to the States to see some doctors, and I had an operation. I’m definitely on my way there but I’m not 100%, it’s one of the reasons I didn’t do too many laps today. I want to stay calm and the doctors said I’m okay to ride – I’ve got some good strength but I don’t have the range of motion I really need. I still need a good couple of weeks of rehab, to then be close to 100% in Phillip Island.

What are you hoping to have tested here at Jerez?

“Yeah we definitely need to try some engine brake strategies, but we’re still working through some little technical problems that come up with the new bike. We have a lot of work to do but times with the new bike takes a longer, so hopefully we can get a fairly early start. Obviously my physical condition isn’t ready for a 100 lap day; so we’re trying to work smart, just chip away and remember it’s only a test and to stay calm.”

Are you concerned with your knee?

“I’ll need some more rehab just to get a bit stronger and to get the range of motion back, but it actually felt better than maybe I expected.”