Image: Supplied.

Kawasaki Racing Team took to the Montmelo circuit near Barcelona this week as the WorldSBK field tested at Portimao, allowing five-time defending champion Jonathan Rea to be prepared for Australia’s season-opener next month.

The Spanish venue has been added to the WorldSBK calendar for 2020, a track which Rea believes will play to the Kawasaki strengths later this year. Rea completed a number of back-to-back tests on new components, while also sampling an updated fork setting.

“It has been so nice to get this extra day after Jerez, because we got really decent weather, the track was dry and we managed to put in a lot of laps,” said Rea. ” We were able to back-to-back some items that we were not sure about with the weight balance of the bike in Jerez.

“In the end we tried something on the front suspension and did some practice starts. The big positive is that I really enjoyed the track and the bike works really well here. I think it sets us up in a good frame of mind now.

“I feel fast and consistent and this positive test has prepared us to go to Australia, where we will start the new season. Thanks to the team for pulling out all the stops to get us a proper test day here because I know it was not in the plan. Next is the team launch where we get to be all excited about our new colours and then move on.”

Rea hits the track next at the Phillip Island test on 24-25 February, which takes place just days before the WorldSBK season-opener at the seaside circuit.