Following a two day WorldSBK test at Portimao last week, Xavi Vierge was back in action alongside team-mate Iker Lecuona for tܫhe pꦿair’s third outing at Jerez since December.

Vierge, who h﷽ad already completed five of his ten allocated test days for the season, chose to run back-to-back half days during Team HRC’ private test, meaning he leaves the Jerez circuit with four testing days remaining. 

The 2022 WorldSBK rookie🦩 has largely focused his pre-season testing program around adapting to Superbike machinery, understanding the Honda’s electronics and trying different set-ups in order to find the best option for April’s season opener at Aragon. 

And while race simulations were a big part of his most recent Jerez test, further progress with the electronics were made to the point where 'I was 💧able to get my confidence back' following a difficult🐭 start to both days. 

"I’m happy because we made good progress throughout this test and with respect to last week’s session," said the former Moto2 rider.&nb𓄧ꦚsp;

"To be h🧸onest, having decided to test over just two afternoons, I started both days in the warmest conditions a✤nd I struggled at first. We worked on some new settings, and it took a little time to adapt to the different feeling. 

"But we worked very well with the electronics, adjusting and fine tuning the set-up until we found the way and I was able to get my♉ confidence back. 

"We completed a couple of good long runs, wi💝th a pace that was much better compared to the last time we were here. I also made a few practice starts, and we’ve taken a step forward there too. 

"The work has been intense, but I was able to make a lot of laps without any problems or delays, which has allowed us to collect a lot of data. Now we must analyse everything in preparation for th🦹e next test."  

Given the fact Vierge and Lecuona have 🅠completed by far the most number of test days of any riders/team thus f💃ar, March could therefore be a slightly quieter month for the factory Team HRC outfit despite three testing opportunities being available. The official Dorna organised test on April 4-5 won't count towards teams/riders' test days.