News

Dominique Aegerter and his Kawasaki WorldSSP Team were once again hampered by changeable weather conditions during the second test of the new year.

For 35-year-old Dominique Aegerter, the trip to the winter tests last week in Jerez de la Frontera and on Monday and Tuesday in neighbouring Portimao, Portugal, was not really worthwhile. For the Kawasaki rider, who is returning to the FIM Supersport World Championship this season, where he has enjoyed his greatest successes to date, these four days would have been hugely important, as practically everything is new to him.

However, the weather did not play nicely with Aegerter and his competitors in WorldSSP class, who had been there for the last two days. Repeated rain prevented the track from drying out at the demanding circuit of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, not far from the port city of Portimao at the Algarve coastline. Aegerter completed a total of just under 50 laps. However, it was not possible to do much more than functional tests on various components.

Before the first race weekend of the new season in Australia in just under a month, all teams still have two official test days available at Phillip Island, where hopefully beautiful and stable summer weather on the other side of the world will provide optimal conditions.

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

«Once again, we had bad luck with the weather. The changeable conditions over the last two days threw a spanner in the works for us. Whenever the track started to dry out, it started raining again. Yesterday, we were at least able to complete almost 40 laps to test some electronic settings. It was also good practice in wet conditions to gather some data. Today, however, we did not get beyond ten laps. The two runs were used to practice starts and check the electronics in terms of throttle response, dashboard, and quick shifter. Looking back, it was two long days with a lot of waiting, hoping that we could finally get out on track with slicks. On the one hand, I am happy to be back on my race bike and working with the team to get to know each other better. On the other hand, it is not so great that we only did ten laps on a dry track in four days of testing.»

«I am not worried, but I am a bit nervous because we are going to Australia without really knowing the bike as rider. It was also impossible to work on a basic setup, get a feel for it, and build up confidence. Fortunately, we still have two more days before the first race weekend, Monday and Tuesday, which we hope to make the most of. Before that, I am going back to my home in Switzerland, where I will continue my training program so that I am in top physical and mental shape for the first race weekend at the end of February. Before that, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the entire team for their efforts over the last two days. Under these conditions, it was no easy task for them. And once again, thank you for taking care of everything during the winter months and handling all the details I asked you to take care of in November. I can't wait to travel to Australia and show our potential there.»