Image: Russell Colvin.

Points leader Wayne Maxwell says the unofficial ASBK test at Wakefield Park was initially a ‘challenging time’, however he was able to discover a setting that enabled him to set the pace.

The Boost Mobile Racing rider, who was untouchable at Phillip Island’s opener, set a 57.279s to top the times during the two days, where he edged out Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) for top spot.

The Ducati pilot was pleased to exit the New South Wales venue with a strong setting, admitting he was left scratching his head during the early stages of testing.

“Obviously Wakefield Park is on the complete opposite end of the scale to Phillip Island,” Maxwell told CycleOnline.com.au. “We had a test plan in mind – some of the stuff worked, some of it didn’t.

“It was probably the most challenging time I’ve had and it left me scratching my head, but full credit to the Boost Mobile Racing team – we stuck to the plan and came out with the result that we set out to achieve.

“Wakefield is a circuit I’ve never won an overall at, so I’d be keen to win an overall there. Troy’s [Herfoss] is so good there and Cru [Halliday] is in great form and he’s really good at Wakefield, so I think we’ll have a great race between the three of us and the competitive ASBK field.”

Former EWC regular Broc Parkes was third on the timesheets filling in for Aiden Wagner at Yamaha Racing Team, while the top five was completed by Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) and Glenn Allerton (Maxima BMW). Wakefield Park’s second round is scheduled for 27-29 March.

Image: Supplied.

Reigning champion Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE) has completed the final day of MotoE World Cup testing in Jerez by topping the timesheets, setting a best lap of 1m47.494s on the final day to head the combined timesheets.

Eric Granado’s (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) 1m47.546s on day two placed the Brazilian a close second, with MotoE rookie Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) impressing to finish third overall in his first event on the Energica Ego Corsa.

At the end of the three days in Andalucia, the top eight were covered by just eight tenths and only 1.2 seconds split the top 14 as MotoE got off to a competitive start in 2020.

2019 Cup runner-up Bradley Smith (WithU Motorsport) was fourth fastest at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, the British rider sitting 0.379s off Ferrari’s pace. Five riders managed to dip into the 1:47s and the last of those was Octo Pramac MotoE’s Alex De Angelis, the Sammarinese rider ending the test 0.450s from the top.

Xavier Simeon (LCR E-Team) was sixth fastest, he and fellow sophomore Mike Di Meglio (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) heading eighth place Niki Tuuli (Avant Ajo MotoE) as the Finn continues to recover from recent surgery to remove screws put in after his injury last year. Octo Pramac MotoE’s Josh Hook and rookie Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) completed the top 10 as 2020 sparked to life.

Throughout the official test the MotoE class were testing new tyres from Michelin, as well as new Ohlins forks and new airflow cooling for the batteries, which helps the Energica Ego Corsas charge quicker too.

Image: Supplied.

Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) went fastest for the second-consecutive day of FIM Enel MotoE World Cup testing at Jerez, with a 1m47.546s enough to see him edge out nearest challenger and 2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE) by just 0.098s.

Alex De Angelis (Octo Pramac MotoE) completed the top three, into the 1m48s as the timesheets tightened up behind the duo at the top.

Granado and Ferrari were, therefore, the only two riders to dip below the 1m47s barrier on Wednesday, with the Brazilian finding around eight tenths on his previous best as the grid continue to get to grips with a few updates for 2020.

Xavier Simeon (LCR E-Team) was fourth quickest on day two in Andalucia with a best of 1m48.294s, moving up from having ended Tuesday outside the top five, with 2019 Cup runner-up Bradley Smith (WithU Motorsport) shuffled down a couple of places to take P5 on day two, his quickest a 1m48.451s.

Niki Tuuli (Avant Ajo MotoE) continued his return from injury and surgery in P6, the Finn impressing again and just getting the better of Niccolo Canepa (LCR E-Team) on Wednesday. Mike Di Meglio (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) slipped down to eighth on day two.

Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP), meanwhile, took ninth. The Swiss rider was once again the fastest rookie, and ended the day just ahead of Australian Josh Hook (Octo Pramac MotoE), who completed the top 10.

Image: Supplied.

The Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) has announced additional changes to its 2020 calendar amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, with the Jerez and Magny-Cours rounds being shifted.

The Spanish round at Jerez, initially scheduled for 27-29 March, will now take place on 23-25 October, while the French round at Magny Cours will take place a week later than planned on 2-4 October.

The FIM and Dorna WSBK Organization are working extensively with circuits and government officials following up the situation in each country and will inform accordingly in due course if there are further changes to the 2020 calendar.

Updated 2020 WorlSBK calendar:
Rd1 – 28 February-1 March – Phillip Island, Australia
Rd2 – 13-15 March – Losail, Qatar (postponed)
Rd3 – 17-19 April – Assen, The Netherlands
Rd4 – 8-10 May – Imola, Italy
Rd5 – 22-24 May – MotorLand Aragon, Spain
Rd6 – 12-14 June – Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Italy
Rd7 – 3-5 July – Donington Park, United Kingdom
Rd8 – 31 July-2 August – Oschersleben, Germany
Rd9 – 4-6 September – Portimao, Portugal
Rd10 – 18-20 September – Catalunya, Spain
Rd11 – 2-4 October – Magny-Cours, France
Rd12 – 9-11 October – Circuito San Juan Villicum, Argentina
Rd13 – 22-23 October – Jerez, Spain