Reigning world champion Jonathan Rea finished the first day on track for 2017 on top, with a lap time of 1.40.162. Clear blue skies greeted riders, and once the track heated up it was perfect conditions for January testing.

Eight Superbike World Championship teams took to the track as the top 11 were covered by two seconds. There were many talking points surrounding the opening day of action, as the times continued to tumble and many updates took to the track.

Kawasaki Racing Team picked up where they left off at Jerez back in November, with Jonathan Rea continuing his search for more power as well as undergoing race simulations aboard the ZX-10RR. Team-mate Tom Sykes is continuing to make changes to his Ninja’s core set-up, as he makes way for the technical updates 2017 is brining to the series; on top of changing his riding style to suit. The pair ended day one spilt by just 0.260, never falling outside of the top three.

Following a fairly calm start to their pre-season Aruba.it  Racing- Ducati have had a busy test in southern Spain, now running both Panigale R’s with the 2017 configuration. However this didn’t slow down Chaz Davies, who spent the majority of the day in the top three. First rider out of the box this morning, Davies clocked a time of 1.40.784 by the end of the proceedings. Whilst returning team-mate Marco Melandri (1.40.812) was able to sit in a top five position as he looks to making a welcomed return to the WorldSBK series.

Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team) had his first taste of track time since the final round in Qatar, concentrating on getting some kilometres in aboard the Panigale R. The Spaniard had an impressive opening day, ending with a lap time of 1.41.396 in sixth position.

Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team were able to make some solid steps as they received the full 2017 R1; updates to the Yamaha mean both riders are beginning to feel more comfortable aboard their machines. Alex Lowes (1.41.058) is heading into his second year with the bike and is feeling happier with his riding position; constant improvements with the team saw him end the day in the top five. New recruit Michael van der Mark put in solid lap times to see him finish in the top ten; his best being a 1.41.908 as he continues to adjust his riding style according to the R1.

Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) ended the test in eighth position with a time of 1.41.619, riding the 2016 spec BMW, with some new parts brought in for the test. German Markus Reiterberger (Althea BMW Racing Team) spent day one undergoing a back-to-back comparison with the parts received on his S 1000 RR, finishing 13^th overall.  

Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) had a strong first day of 2017, as the Italian ended the day in the top seven aboard his freshly unveiled Aprilia RSV4 RF, whilst team-mate Eugene Laverty was just four positions back in 11^th and were both lapping under two seconds off the fastest time of the day.

Honda World Superbike Team have a lot of learning to do, getting chance to test their CBR1000RR machine for the first time. Nicky Hayden and Stefan Bradl spent the day putting in over a combined total of over 73 laps, gradually creeping up the timing screens. The duo ended the day both in the top 12, a solid start to their 2017 campaign on a totally fresh machine.

Randy Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) began to make steps on the newly built ZX-10R, ending his day 2.585s off Rea’s top time. But with the first goal being a points scoring finish for the 2017 season, the World Supersport graduate will continue to make steps throughout the pre-season testing.  

There were also FIM Supersport World Championship riders present on track at Circuito de Jerez; GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team, Orelac Racing VerdNatura and CIA Landlord Insurance Honda. Zulfhami Khairuddin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was the top rider for day one.

Full list of times below:

WorldSBK

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team): 1.40.162

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team): 1.40.422

Chaz Davies (Aruba It.Racing- Ducati): 1.40.784

Marco Melandri (Aruba It.Racing- Ducati): 1.40.812

Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official Team): 1.41.058

Xavi Forés (Barni Racing): 1.41.396

Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia Team): 1.41.416

Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing): 1.41.619

Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team): 1.41.830

Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Team): 1.41.908

Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia Team): 1.42.142

Stefan Bradl (Honda World Superbike Team):1.42.255

Markus Reiterberger (Althea BMW Racing):1.42.530

 World Supersport

Zulfhami Khairuddin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura): 1.45.658

Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda):1.46.182

Nacho Calero (Orelac Racing VerdNatura):1.46.345

Robin Mulhauser (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda): 1.46.479

Kyle Ryde (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing): 1.46.729

Hikari Okubo (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda):1.47.107

 European STK000

Marco Faccani (Althea BMW Racing Team): 1.43.769

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing-Junior Team):1.44.023

Mike Jones (Aruba.it Racing-Junior Team): 1.44.211

Julian Puffe (Althea MF 84): 1.46.932

HALCOURIER MS Racing add Borja Sanchez to their 2017 effort in the new FIM Supersport 300 World Championship, aboard the Yamaha YZF-R3.

Moving up from the Spanish Moto3 CEV series, Sanchez had a strong season in the series - he ended 2016 third position in the championship standings. Starting his racing career in 2007, the Spaniard has a lot of experience behind him which will no doubt come in use as he battles with 34 other riders.

Joining compatriot Daniel Valle, Sanchez and the team are excited for the season ahead as they look to developing the bike and team, as well as learning from experiences of racing on the world stage.

"I am going to race as a member of HALCOURIER MS Racing and official driver of the Yamaha brand,” Sanchez explains, “I hope to be racing for the top positions in the class, with the help of my bike who I will now be inseparable from: a YZF-R3 with displacement of 300cc.”

Félix Garrido, director of HALCOURIER MS Racing, expresses his satisfaction with the signing: "We have a very high level rider, who we are sure will learn, grow and secure more titles in his career, as he gives us his lessons and experiences"

Milwaukee Aprilia have revealed their 2017 livery at the first MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship test, showing off their new colours in Circuito de Jerez pit lane.

Making the switch to Italian factory this season, Shaun Muir’s squad now have Eugene Laverty and Lorenzo Savadori taking control of the brand new Aprilia RSV4 RFs.

Both riders take a lot of experience in the series into the season; Laverty was runner up in the series in 2013 whilst Savadori comes off the back of a top ten WorldSBK championship finish.

Under the beaming Andalucían sunshine, the duo pulled the covers on a striking red and white paint scheme ahead of a day of testing.

Both riders are hoping to make an impact to the front of the field this season as they begin to understand the brand new bike.

Lorenzo Savadori is keen to get going this week: “I have worked all the winter for this year; I’m excited to try the bike and to work with the new team, so I’m looking forward for this test."

"I am hoping to try to understand how the bike is different to before, as when we came in November it was raining. I am hoping the weather is getting better for this test, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Team manager Mick Shanley speaks with excitement ahead of 2017: “We have completely new bikes here, we went out to Aprilia last week and we build the bikes from the ground up.

The team has a really good atmosphere, everyone has worked so hard; our guys and the guys over at Aprilia. They have done an outstanding job over the winter with the new bike, so there’s a really positive attitude and we’re looking forward to getting running.

We have a lot of new components and a lot of things to test, there’s going to be quite a lot of differences, but that’s what we’re here for."

"We need to get out and understand the balance as a starting point -hopefully we can get to Portimao this weekend and get some good laps in.”

It will be tough to top, but WorldSBK will continue to provide the drama

Heading into its 30th season the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is set to see sparks fly, with 21 riders lining up on the grid and all hungry for the taste of victory.

Update of Race Two Grid Format
Clearly the change in rules for the grid positioning for WorldSBK Race 2 has been a big talking point, and for a good reason. With one of the biggest mix-ups the series has ever seen, it is certainly going to provide more drama and more opportunity for riders and teams to fight closer to the front. On top of this the pressure will be on for riders not to make mistakes in order to not hinder their race two starting position, therefore heavily impacting their Sunday result. We will see the intense passion seep through with even more impact from the WorldSBK riders, and no doubt have some surprises fighting up front – meaning we can see just what all of our riders are made of.

New Honda CBR1000RR
With a machine that’s been in the pipeline for many months, the Honda World Superbike Team are set to receive the 2017 CBR1000RR model. This will provide Nicky Hayden and Stefan Bradl with an updated version of the machine which secured 10 podiums in 2016. Making a ‘former GP team’, Bradl and Hayden bring a wealth of experience between them and development will be vital for the machines first year in competition.

Davies vs Rea
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) will begin the 2017 season on the back of phenomenal form showcased in the second half of the season, meaning he will be ready to bring the fight to the reigning champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) from Round 1 at Phillip Island. Failing to finish on the podium on just eight occasions in the opening nine rounds, it took the Welshman until the summer break to find some consistency but once he did, he was unstoppable. Put a consistent Davies against a comfortable Rea, who will be going for his record breaking third consistent world title, and sparks are bound to fly. Rea has demonstrated his mature ability to ride with the title in mind, as well as ruthless hunger to win with some hard but fair moves. Seeing the pair battle, no doubt with additions from team-mates and fellow riders alike, will set the series alight.

Pata Yamaha Official SBK Team
With an entire season of data now behind them, Paul Denning’s squad enters its second year with the Japanese manufacturer. Their rider combination of Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark will certainly have the ability to bring the team forward, looking to build on the first podium last season secured in Qatar.

30th season
Reaching a landmark in its history, WorldSBK heads into the 30th season of competition and the champion will certainly be remembered. Reaching such a landmark certainly shows how the WorldSBK series has continued to grow, and the level of popularity and fan base that has been acquired. One of the most thrilling and anticipated racing series in the world, we head into the 30th season with some of the best talents we have seen competing for the all important crown.

Seven World Champions line up on the grid
Experience can tend to be key in the pinnacle of two wheeled production racing, and hosting seven former World Champions will make for some intense and no doubt quality racing. Kawasaki Racing Team continues to run two WorldSBK Champions: Jonathan Rea, the reigning champion and Tom Sykes, 2013 champion. Aruba.it Racing –Ducati also have two World Champions with 2011 World Supersport Champion Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri, who claimed the 2002 250cc GP title. Nicky Hayden and Stefan Bradl take the reins with Honda World Superbike Team, both with Grand Prix titles to their names. Hayden took the 2006 MotoGP™ crown, as German Bradl holds the 2010 Moto2™ crown. Switching from Honda to Pata Yamaha Official Team SBK, Michael van der Mark won the World Supersport series in 2014. Winning a championship certainly takes determination and with these riders lining up on the grid, we are set to see battles right until the final lap.