The Kawasaki Racing Team and Loris Baz got the official 2014 Kawasaki Racing Team winter test programme off to a good start at Jerez on Tuesday 22nd October, as Baz made his return to action after injury.
This was the first time that Loris had ridden since he fractured his D4 vertebra in a morning warm-up crash at the NÌ_rburgring in Germany on September 1. Loris found a good feeling with his Ninja ZX-10R soon after starting back on track and was pleased to get back into testing action at a good pace.
His Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R was running its special black ‰Û÷Winter Test 2014‰Ûª livery, with white lettering. Loris was also in his black and white winter leathers as the 2014 campaign started only a day or so after the 2013 season had finished.
A small fall of rain early in the day interrupted the track action for a very short time but Loris still put in 40 laps before calling a halt. Despite high winds arriving after the early fall of rain, and Loris having not ridden for so long, he slotted back into his normal testing routine with confidence and style.
Using race tyres only, Baz put in a very low 1 minute 42 lap time, proving that the Silverstone SBK race winner had lost none of his pace during his enforced lay-off from action.
‰ÛÏI made a 1‰Ûª42.1 and did that three or four times, so I am really happy because I did not expect that." Baz explained. "I just wanted to ride and see how I felt.
"I was quite good and although I had some pain in my back it was mainly muscle that has not been used on track for some time. Also my neck muscles, which are not as strong as before.
"I am a bit tired now after doing 40 laps but that was good test and I will be better when we ride again over the next few weeks. I will continue in the winter tests with even better health and stronger muscles.
"The bike felt really good again today and I am glad to find that I did not lose anything. I feel I am riding at the same level that I was before I fell.‰Û
