Jonathan Rea in final test before 2021 World Superbike Championship begins in earnest

Rea and his Kawasaki team-mate Alex Lowes will conclude a two-day test on Wednesday on the new Ninja ZX-10RR, which features engine, chassis and aerodynamic improvements, including internal front winglets and a vented rear seat unit to provide extra downforce at speed and a more efficient aerodynamic package overall.

Reigning six-time champion Rea said: “We really will cross the t’s and dot the i’s at this final test at Motorland Aragon The last test we went to there was productive, and we made some progress, but we never got the chance to do a full race simulation.

“That is going to be key, something we need to look at understand the bike in a race simulation, with a soft tyre and hard tyre. Aside from that, our test programme has really been about confirming different software and hardware.

“We have put the pieces together but we have not fine-tuned the bike. We have not got the bike into the window where we are really starting to play with small items, like you would during a race weekend.

“I really have to thank my team because they have pulled all the stops out to maximise our track time this off-season,” he added.

“We have just been unfortunate with the weather and we have a very good test plan to take us through the season.”

Eugene Laverty has also been in action at Motorland Aragon, where the Northern Ireland rider had the opportunity to ride the new BMW M1000RR for the RC Squadra Corse team for the first time.

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a total of 13 rounds are scheduled this season, with most races in Europe – including a visit to Most in the Czech Republic, which will host the sixth round from August 6-8. Two final flyaway rounds are set to bring the championship to a conclusion in Argentina and an all-new venue at the Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia (November 12-14).

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