Loris Baz began his off-season testing in MotoAmerica with his Ducati Panigale V4R by tackling a choice piece: the selective Austin track. A circuit in the Americas that he has already covered during his MotoGP days. Between the discovery of Dunlop tires and the physical fitness to be honed on the bike, the Frenchman didn't let himself be counted out by setting a record time. He announces the color to his future opponents, accustomed to the category.
Loris Baz is already marking its territory in the new world that it has decided to conquer this season through the American superbike championship. The Frenchman made contact with the discipline and showed himself to his opponents during an off-season test on the circuit ofAustin. And he didn't pull any punches: riding his new Ducati Panigale V4 R from the HSBK Racing team, Baz completed the Circuit of the Americas and 20 laps in 2'08.595, below the 2019 race record of Josh Herrin of 2'08.994, and not far from the race record MotoAmerica Superbike de Roger Hayden of 2'08.184, established in 2017.
On the site roadracingworld.com, Loris Baz commented : " this motorcycle is like a wild horse. I can't remember the last time I was this tired on the first day of preseason, but also I haven't ridden a motorcycle since October 16. I didn't do anything during the winter, I just cycled a lot and trained a lot, but it's not like riding a motorcycle ».
« I'm really happy because the first test at Cresson on the MotorSport Ranch was just a shakedown and it was difficult to get a good feeling with the Dunlops on the bike. We did a few tests to try to understand a little bit how the bike reacts, how the tire reacts, to try to get that feeling. Because these Dunlop tires remind me more of the Michelin ones I used in MotoGP than the Pirelli ones I had in World Superbike, and particularly with regard to rigidity. The carcass is hard, so you have to be careful when you are on the brakes ».
Loris Baz: “I could have improved by another tenth”
He adds : " but overall I'm happy. We need to go over more things and I need to learn more about the bike, how to use it, mainly for consistency. The quick ride was pretty good. I am happy. I think I could improve by a tenth on the last lap because I missed my sector two, but I was too tired and when I entered the third corner my legs didn't want to turn the bike anymore. So I said to myself: “OK, I’m going to the box now”. We'll try again tomorrow. We know the weather won't be very good. That's why we do a lot of things today, because we are not sure what the weather will be like tomorrow ».
So it's off to a good start for our tricolor who is hoping for the American title at the end of the year which would give him a chance to come back in WSBK in good conditions.
