Honda Makes Excellent Progress at Shortened Test

Honda Racing’s British Superbike teams drew to a close their comprehensive three-day test at Guadix yesterday (1 March). The teams reported excellent progress and positive results despite the adverse weather conditions on day one.

On their arrival at the Spanish circuit, the Honda Racing teams were met with snowy conditions, which put pay to their day one test programme.

However, on day two, the teams were able to take to the track. Despite being behind schedule, and with the track temperature fluctuating between eight and 11degrees, the three teams made strong headway.

HM Plant Honda superbike riders Ryuichi Kiyonari and Karl Harris worked through a schedule of back-to-back parts testing. Both riders completed up to sixty laps each.

Red Bull Honda British superbike racer Jonathan Rea worked on suspension and chassis settings while fellow Red Bull Honda supersport rider Eugene Laverty worked on base settings.

Meanwhile John McGuinness shook down his HM Plant Honda Superstock machine as he took to the track for the first time.

On the final day, Kiyonari and Harris rode a total of 137 and 112 laps respectively. The pair completed their comprehensive test sheets for front and rear suspension, chassis settings and tested numerous Michelin tyres.

Rea also made good progress on the closing day and showed consistently good form at the Spanish circuit, while fellow Irishman Laverty worked on chassis settings and tested various Dunlop tyres.

After only spending two days on his bike National Superstock racer McGuinness was delighted with the overall package and commented: “I could race it as it is! I had an excellent test and it was great to be on the bike. It was a shame we missed the first day but we all worked hard and have had some really positive results.”

Red Bull Honda Team Manager Havier Beltram commented: “When we got here we thought that the snow was in for the duration of the test, but luckily it cleared up and we got to work. As at all tests, the teams have worked extremely hard but when you lose a day the pressure is on, but in the end everything went according to plan, we completed our schedules and even came away with some pleasing lap times.”