The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve test was the second one to be adversely affected by wet weather in as many weeks, as the previous Jerez tests in Spain had also been unavoidably weather-affected for the Kawasaki WorldSSP Team.

After finding either a wet or occasionally damp track surface on the first day in Portugal, those conditions carried on into the second day.

With only some of their planned on-track work completed, due to circumstances beyond their control, the Kawasaki WorldSSP Team now heads to Australia for the official pre-season tests and then the first round of the season, at the Phillip Island Grand Prix track.

The ‘PI’ test will take place on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 February, with race weekend being held between 20-22 February.

Jeremy Alcoba, stated: “Portimao was another wet test, but we’ve worked on the electronics. And I’m pleased to have found really good feeling with the bike in the wet. The track was very slippery, and so I didn’t want to risk it, but I quickly felt comfortable. The Ninja ZX-6R 636 is better than last season’s bike, but I’ll only really be able to appreciate the improvements in the dry. We have a good base on which to build, though, thanks to the team’s hard work over the winter. I hope the weather’s better in Australia, so that we can make the most of the two-day test we have right before the opening round.”

Dominique Aegerter, stated: “Unfortunately, the weather didn’t behave here at Portimao either. Every time the track started to dry, it would come on to rain again. We made about 30 laps on day one to test the electronics and collect some initial data. We did less on day two and didn’t use slicks at all. I’m pleased to have had the chance to work with my team but on the other hand, we head home having been unable to ride in the dry. So, I’ll go to Australia without really knowing my bike, but I’m confident I’ll be able to get there during those final pre-race tests. I want to thank the team because they’ve done a great job and have listened to everything I asked for after the November test.”