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Portimao WorldSBK test: Yamaha close in on runaway Rea

Yamaha closed in on reigning WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea's race-trim pace at the Portimao test yesterday as both Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark were just a tenth behind the works Kawasaki.

Lowes and van der Mark both had a pile of chassis items to test with the British rider focusing on front-end setup with the new Pirelli tyre - going through a pile of triple-clamp options in the process - and he ended with a 1'42.140 compared to Rea race-tyre best of 1'42.022.

The main focus during these two days in Portimao was working to find a good set up on the bike for the new front tyre that Pirelli brought to the last race in Misano. I didn't have the same feeling as the other guys when we switched to the new tyre, so we've been working on a solution for that," said Lowes.

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"We've also tried many different options on the bike, which is what testing is all about, and that confirmed once again our current base setting. On top of that we've had some very positive new hardware from Yamaha to evaluate as part of the development program for 2019 and also some upgraded components from Öhlins.

"Normally we test here in Portimão in the winter when the temperatures are cooler and there is a lot more grip, so it was good to get the chance to test again when the track temperature is closer to what we can expect when we return next month for the race. We've made some small improvements, maybe not quite as big a step as I was hoping for, but overall it's been a positive test so thanks to Yamaha and all the team for their efforts."

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