News

Despite mostly favourable conditions over the last two days in Down Under, Dominique Aegerter has not yet been able to fully complete his preparations for his return to the FIM Supersport World Championship.

Glorious late summer weather provided a relaxed atmosphere in the paddock of the Grand Prix Circuit at picturesque Phillip Island in southern Australia during the final test before the start of the new championship and for plenty of action at the ultra-fast and flowing track. Only a darkened sky with scattered rain disrupted the test on Tuesday afternoon during the fourth and final session.

Favourable conditions allowed all teams to gain an initial impression of the current balance of power in the middle category of the production-based series. However, Dominique Aegerter and his Kawasaki WorldSSP Team struggled to get up to speed on both days, having never been able to test in dry conditions during previous winter tests in Europe. On day two however, when the wind was stronger than on the previous day, the 35-year-old Swiss rider set a personal best time of 1´34.174 in the morning. This put him 1.6 seconds behind the fastest time and in 24th place on the combined timesheet, well below all expectations.

#77 Dominique AEGERTER (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636)

«Finally, we had some luck with the weather. The last two days were very sunny, even though this afternoon's session was not ideal due to scattered rain. We still have a lot of work ahead of us. Step by step, we are getting to know and understand the bike better. The predominantly good conditions allowed us to work out a setting I need. However, we still need to improve the cooperation and communication within the crew. Even if the first race weekend is not far away, I am convinced that we are better prepared than it seems.»

#AustralianWorldSBK – WSSP-Test Combined Practice Times:
1 Jaume MASIA / SPA / Orelac Verdnatura Racing / Ducati Panigale V2 / 1´32,525 (89 Laps)
2 Oli BAYLISS / AUS / PTR Triumph Factory Racing / Triumph Street Triple 765 RS / 1´32.559 (96 Laps)
2 Tom BOOTH-AMOS / GBR / PTR Triumph Factory Racing / Triumph Street Triple 765 RS / 1´32.713 +0.188 (74 Laps)
…
24 #77 Dominique AEGERTER / SWI / Kawasaki WorldSSP Team / Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636 / 1´34.174 +1.649 (96 Laps)