Phillip Island (Australia), Tuesday 19 February 2019

After two days of intense work, the Althea MIE Racing team has concluded the final test sessions prior to the start of the 2019 Superbike World Championship.

On track at Phillip Island in Australia both today and yesterday, the Italian team has worked methodically with rider Alessandro Delbianco, who had never visited the circuit before now. The Althea MIE rider therefore used the first sessions to get to grips with the layout of the Australian track, while the team’s technicians started working to adapt the Honda CBR1000RR SP2 to the characteristics of the track.

The stable weather conditions allowed the team to work systematically and without interruption on day one, Delbianco completing a total of 45 laps and setting a best time of 1’33.949. Back on track this morning, the team continued their set-up work. Alessandro was immediately able to improve on yesterday’s time, by over a second in fact, to set a 1’32.979 but shortly afterwards, the young Italian unfortunately suffered a crash at turn 2. Although not seriously hurt, as a precautionary measure the team took the decision to have the rider sit out the final session, in order for him to rest up and be in top shape for the upcoming race weekend.

The Althea MIE Racing team will be back at the Phillip Island track come Friday, when the curtain officially goes up on the 2019 Superbike World Championship.

ALESSANDRO DEL BIANCO

I’m pleased with the work we’ve done here, despite finishing up the test a little earlier than everyone else. I feel as if I’ve got on much better than I did during the Portimao and Jerez tests. This is one of those tracks that requires courage and I feel comfortable riding here, I find the wide turns really help me. Compared to the last tests, I’m closer to my rivals and know that I can only improve, so I’m feeling optimistic about the upcoming race weekend.