GixerGaz
01-03-2007, 14:08
http://www.gixerjunkies.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7959&stc=1&d=1172754481
HM Plant Honda's Jonathan Rea continued his impressive form throughout the three day Almeria test by holding the top spot with a best time of 1min 35.20secs.
The 20-year-old Ulsterman thus underlined his credentials to challenge for the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike crown as he outpaced riders, including team-mate and reigning champion Ryuichi Kiyonari, from several of the leading teams.
Making his pace all the more remarkable was that he had not ridden since a heavy accident last October had left him with serious leg injuries, but, making his debut on the factory HRC backed Fireblade, he was quick to settle back into the groove.
"All in all it has been a very good work out for me," said Rea, who finished fourth overall last season, his second in the top flight. Along with the other riders at the test, he worked extensively on machine setting and also race simulation runs.
Leon Haslam, the 2006 title runner-up, closed within a quarter of a second of him at the top of the leaderboard - despite taking a tumble from his Airwaves Ducati during the morning session.
Returning star Chris Walker, of Rizla Suzuki, impressed with a lap of 1min 35.7secs, making 'The Stalker' marginally faster than former champions Gregorio Lavilla and Shane Byrne - while Kiyonari, whose best time was 1min 36.1secs, was sixth fastest.
Cal Crutchlow, who graduates into Superbikes alongside Walker as the British Supersport champion, continued to make good progress, lapping in 1min 36.3secs, two tenths up on Tom Sykes who took a shaking as he tipped off the Stobart Motorsport Honda during the final morning.
Leon Camier, also riding a Honda, and the Bridewell brothers, Tom and Ollie, aboard the Team NB Suzukis were also ran consistently throughout as they prepared for the new season which begins at Brands Hatch on Easter Monday, 9 April.
TODAY'S TOP TIMES (NO OFFICIAL TIMES)
1 J Rea 1.35.26
2 L Haslam 1.35.4
3 C Walker 1.35.7
4= G Lavilla 1.35.8
4= S Byrne 1.35.8
6 R Kiyonari 1.36.1
7 C Crutchlow 1.36.3
8 T Sykes 1.36.5
HM Plant Honda's Jonathan Rea continued his impressive form throughout the three day Almeria test by holding the top spot with a best time of 1min 35.20secs.
The 20-year-old Ulsterman thus underlined his credentials to challenge for the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike crown as he outpaced riders, including team-mate and reigning champion Ryuichi Kiyonari, from several of the leading teams.
Making his pace all the more remarkable was that he had not ridden since a heavy accident last October had left him with serious leg injuries, but, making his debut on the factory HRC backed Fireblade, he was quick to settle back into the groove.
"All in all it has been a very good work out for me," said Rea, who finished fourth overall last season, his second in the top flight. Along with the other riders at the test, he worked extensively on machine setting and also race simulation runs.
Leon Haslam, the 2006 title runner-up, closed within a quarter of a second of him at the top of the leaderboard - despite taking a tumble from his Airwaves Ducati during the morning session.
Returning star Chris Walker, of Rizla Suzuki, impressed with a lap of 1min 35.7secs, making 'The Stalker' marginally faster than former champions Gregorio Lavilla and Shane Byrne - while Kiyonari, whose best time was 1min 36.1secs, was sixth fastest.
Cal Crutchlow, who graduates into Superbikes alongside Walker as the British Supersport champion, continued to make good progress, lapping in 1min 36.3secs, two tenths up on Tom Sykes who took a shaking as he tipped off the Stobart Motorsport Honda during the final morning.
Leon Camier, also riding a Honda, and the Bridewell brothers, Tom and Ollie, aboard the Team NB Suzukis were also ran consistently throughout as they prepared for the new season which begins at Brands Hatch on Easter Monday, 9 April.
TODAY'S TOP TIMES (NO OFFICIAL TIMES)
1 J Rea 1.35.26
2 L Haslam 1.35.4
3 C Walker 1.35.7
4= G Lavilla 1.35.8
4= S Byrne 1.35.8
6 R Kiyonari 1.36.1
7 C Crutchlow 1.36.3
8 T Sykes 1.36.5