FIRST LOOK: Baz, Ten Kate return headlines Misano WorldSBK test

Ten Kate Racing’s return to the paddock is set to dominate the talk from Misano this week as it re-joins its WorldSBK counterparts for a two-day in-season test.

The Dutch outfit has been absent from the grid in 2019 after its title-winning collaboration with Honda came to an end at the end of last season but will be back for round six at Jerez next week having switched to Yamaha machinery and signed ex-MotoGP rider Loris Baz.

With plans first revealed during the Assen WorldSBK round in April, the team opted for a Jerez debut so it could attend this week’s group test in Italy as part of its preparations. Ten Kate Racing’s return will see the Yamaha contingent on the grid swell to five alongside the factory PATA bikes and supported GRT team.

The test is set to see all factory outfits in attendance – Ducati, Kawasaki, BMW, Honda and Yamaha – with a selection of absentees amongst the privateer contingent. MV Agusta will also join with WorldSSP outfit.

As well as Baz, Xavi Fores will be another familiar face back in the paddock as a replacement for the injured Leon Camier at Honda Moriwaki Althea.

The Spaniard – currently competing for Honda in the British Superbike Championship – is one of three riders for the Italo-Japanese outfit along with regular rider Ryuichi Kiyonari and former MotoGP man Yuki Takahashi.

It’s still raining here in @circuitomisano but there was no stopping @lorisbaz He was determined to get in his first laps aboard the #tenkateyamaha YZF-R1.
—#yamaharacing | #thentherewerefive | #worldsbk pic.twitter.com/WcLiopRzYX

— Yamaha Racing (@yamaharacingcom) May 29, 2019