Tom Sykes finished a 'successful' Rizla Suzuki test at Calafat in Spain by obliterating the lap record as he also outpaced new team-mate - and reigning double Japanese Superbike champion - Atsushi Watanabe by one second.
Sykes and Watanabe put in over 200 laps each at the 3.25km track aboard GSX-R1000K7 race bikes, which were still mounted on Dunlop tyres rather than the 2008 Pirellis to be used by all teams in next year's BSB series.
"Tom was a second faster than Atsushi however he is more used to this type of track and was more confident with the bike when getting on the gas," explained new team manager Jack Valentine. "The Showa suspension worked well and both riders adapted to it very quickly. As that is the suspension used in World Superbike it opens up a whole new data bank which is useful now that we will be on Pirelli tyres [next year]."
"Overall it went really good," confirmed 2007 BSB rookie of the year Sykes, formerly of Stobart Honda. "Every time I ride the bike and the team make little changes it feels better and more like my bike. At the end of this test I am fast and consistent, I can't wait for the next test, I've enjoyed every minute of this one. We did a lot of laps and I still feel brand new so my training is working - Jack makes sure we get the miles in!"
Meanwhile, with a new team, new bike and new type of circuit to adapt to - circuits in Japan tend to be super smooth - Watanabe faced a steep learning curve.
"I was worried about first time on a bumpy track but it was acceptable and not too difficult," he said. "Overall I am so happy and looking forward to next time. I have big smile and feel like little kid, I have been excited and not able to sleep."
