Honda kicks off BSB comeback preparations
Honda Racing will begin preparations for its return to the MCE British Superbike Championship in 2015 with four days of pre-season testing at the Monteblanco circuit in Spain.
The manufacturer, which took a sabbatical from the series in 2014 despite clinching the 2013 riders' championship with Alex Lowes, will embark on a full-scale return this season with last year's Showdown contender Dan Linfoot and long-time development rider Jason O'Halloran.
In preparation, the team will head out to Spain to get miles on the updated CBR1000RR Fireblade, with Linfoot excited to be getting back on a bike following his standout performance on the Quattro Plant Kawasaki in 2014.
"I am really looking forward to the first test - I think I am more excited than I was at Christmas! This first test is all about getting out on track again and my gelling with the bike and the team. I have raced Hondas before but I am expecting a big difference to the previous ones I have ridden.
"The team have a proven package of winning the title and I am expecting it to blow my mind. I am happy that we have a great chance to get some good mileage in before the Donington Park official test, so we can get comfortable and up to speed before coming back and then really get stuck into the British tracks."
O'Halloran, who raced with the team in the Supersport and Superstock classes whilst dovetailing as Honda's test rider, is also excited to be getting his new role as a Superbike rider underway.
"I can't wait to get started," he said. "For me this is great, because when I tested the bike last season it was in addition to racing in Superstock, so it was for feedback rather than for racing. I have been and seen the team and it seems like the bike is ready to rock and roll already, so we need to blow the cobwebs away from the winter then we have the chance to build up and make changes with the time we have on track. I know that the bike is already at a good starting point as it will be a refined version of what I tested last season so I can't wait to get started."
