The Biker Place

All the team are now back from Spain following their shakedown test at Cartagena.

All the riders were in attendance and ready to get back up to race pace on the track. This was the first test for Robbie Stewart with the Kawasaki 600 Superstock bike and all eyes were focused on him as he rode a 600 for the first time since his WSS Triumph days.

The riders concentrated on getting their machines set up as closely as possible to British race conditions, while re-familiarising themselves once again with the extreme forces generated by the brakes and cornering during high speed conditions. New race parts were also put under close scruitiny.

The next outing for the riders will be the first round of the 2010 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Robbie Stewart – Superstock 600
Initially I felt slighly nervous getting back on a 600 bike following my back injury that I sustained at Croft last year. But once in the pitlane all the nerves disappeared and I started to really look forward to it.

The first day was mainly spent on running the bike in but I gelled with it right away and started to push a bit harder in the corners.

Day two saw the bike almost fully run in and I could then start to push for times while putting the bike under more stress on the corners. By this now I was absolutely loving it and improved my times on every lap.

Day three was quite windy but apart from that everything was running smoothly and I managed to tag onto the back of one of the other top riders. I managed to put in some really quick laps, with the best being a 1.40.2.

By day four I began to realise that all my winter training had done me the world of good and enabled me to stay on the bike for all the day’s sessions. My lap times then became consistent in the low 1.41’s with no issues other than it being a new bike.

This was a great test for me and I can’t wait for Brands now!

Kasey Wyatt – 125GP

The first thing we did to the bike was alter the handlebar positions to make me feel more relaxed on the bike. We then concentrated on getting the suspension set up and managed to find some good settings that enabled me to get on the pace pretty much straight away – and with lap times coming in consistently in the lower 1.46’s, I was really pleased.

Cartagena is a great track for this tyoe of testing as it allows us to get the bike set up very similar to the UK circuits. I now feel confident and ready for the first round at Brands Hatch.

Sam Hornsey – 125GP

The test at Cartagena was really good for me in a number of ways. I managed to get to know the rest of the team and how things work with them. We also made really good progress testing out some new parts for the bike.

Most of my time on the circuit was spent trying to get my lap times as close as possible to the required standard needed for the British 125GP and although I still have a bit more to learn, I am confident that with the backing of the team, it isn’t going to be too much of a problem.

Peter Sutherland – 125GP

The test at Cartagena was a great success in many ways for me. I managed to get loads of laps under my belt and in no time at all, the team had the bike initially set up so good for me that I had no trouble settling into the circuit.

Day three was a different matter with strong winds unsettling the bike on a few corners, so we spent most of the day trying to find the right suspension settings.

It was also good to meet all the team together for the first time and I now feel confident for the first round at Brands.

Josh Corner – Aprilia Superteens

The four day test went very well. When I arrived at the circuit I was really excited, after researching the track on the internet I found thatit was totaly different to ride in reality.

I have to say it is the best track I have ever rode on. On the first day of the test we had a couple of small problems with the bike, but nothing to worry about and by the end of the second session everything was sorted. On the first day the weather was superb.

For me at the minute and the level I am at, all I needed to do was ride round the circuit to improve where I could and get as much track time as possible.

After the four days everything had gone well and hopes were high for the forst round of ThundersprintGB at Mallory.

Gary Dawson – Team Manager

As a whole the test went very well, Robbie excelled all our expectations coming back from the injury he sustained at Croft. By day three he was lapping at the same times as the front runners in the class and to say we had no power commander or race fuel and a full standard bike straight from the crate it clearly shows the talent this lad has.

Kasey also impressed us, as he was a full three seconds faster this year from last years test and also mixing it with the front runners.

His complete style and fitness has changed and we all look forward to seeing this lad up front this year.

We were getting to know more about Sam, Pete and Josh as the test went on. All three riders were really new to us and we found a few issues that we will soon sort out if needed but all three lads put in strong times and showed the commitment needed to perform consistently at their best.

I was very pleased with the team as a whole.

I would also just like to thank all our sponsors for making this happen and a big thank you to Stuart & Steve from Buildbase and Nick Morgan from MSS, Thank you all and hope to see you at Brands on Easter Weekend.

Photography credit to Jason Scott Photography