WorldSBK points leader Alex Lowes hit a brace of targets at the Misano test and is now focused on the next two-day outing at Barcelona.

Lowes wanted to fine-tune the front-end setup of his ZX-10RR and also improve his pace over race distance on the big Kawasaki with crew chief Marcel Duinker declaring 'signifcant steps' were made

“The test today has been really good because we had clear targets that we wanted to achieve at the start of the day. We wanted to do a race simulation while trying to keep a good pace after such a long time off the bike," said Lowes.

"And also find a direction with the front end setup for the Barcelona tests. We achieved both those things. I had a nice 20 laps this morning, when the track was really hot, which gave us good information for the next races in Jerez and Portimao, because we think they are also going to be hot.

At the end of today we tried to improve our pace on new tyres and I was quite satisfied with what we did. After 103 laps I was a little bit tired at the end but it was a successful test and we have a lot of information to take into the next test.

"That will be another new track for me on the Kawasaki, so it is all about gelling with the bike in all different conditions. I also want to say a big thanks to the team. It has not been easy to organise the test with everything that has gone on but a massive thanks to the KRT guys.”

Duinker added: “A very good test; very positive. We know Phillip Island is a special track and we did well there in the season opener.

"We came here with a positive mentality and I think everybody was glad to come back to the track. Yesterday, when we started off, it was more like a warm-up after being away for so long. But today, we really sat down to improve the speed of the package.

"This afternoon especially we made some significant steps with the bike performance - and Alex used it to the maximum. We have a clear idea where we improved and also what we need to improve in the following test - so we can go away from this track with a happy face.”

Now the team will relocate to their home venue of Montmelo near Barcelona, for a track outing on the eighth and ninth of July to test in hot temperatures as the second round at Jerez could be as hot as 40°C.