'Clear that new Kawasaki has very good potential', says World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea

The reigning six-time World Superbike champion rode the ZX-10RR for the first time last week at Jerez, where he instantly made his mark by topping the time sheets by half-a-second from PATA Yamaha’s Toprak Razgatlioglu.

Much of the attention was focused on Rea’s Kawasaki Racing Team as the latest version of its dominant Superbike was unveiled for the first time, with a bold redesigned front fairing the biggest noticeable change on the outside, aimed at improving the aerodynamics of the machine and enabling better front-end stability.

A more powerful engine should allow Rea and his team to crucially improve top-end speed, while a new subframe, front forks and brakes are also part of the exciting 2021 package.

This week’s test at Aragon, which features a vast back straight, will provide Rea and team-mate Alex Lowes with the perfect opportunity to assess the aerodynamic and engine performance of the machine.

Rea said: “Motorland is a great circuit to test at now as we have been fast there this season and it will be a nice to compare where we are now. We will continue to work with our 2021 Ninja ZX-10RR after an initial shakedown last week in Jerez.

“It really is early days but it’s clear that the bike has very good potential and we will continue to work to understand the different engine character. It’s the last test before a long break so it’s important to work well and give good feedback so we can develop things in the right way.”

Next year’s World Superbike Championship is set to start later than usual, with the traditional curtain-raiser at Phillip Island in Australia postponed due to the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The fly-away round normally takes place at the end of February but will now be held on a new date, which is yet to be confirmed.

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