Paul Bird content with CRT development

MotoGP team boss Paul Bird is content with the progress made by James Ellison on the CRT-specification Aprilia RSV at the final pre-season test at Jerez.

Ellison was troubled by major chatter issues on the machine but Bird was satisfied overall with the headway made by the PBMUK Aprilia team ahead of next weekend's opening round of the MotoGP championship in Qatar.

"I flew out to Jerez to see how James was getting on and to see how things were gelling with the new team. Despite some major chatter problems that nearly knocked his teeth out, the team did well and there were no major issues or crashes which was important as we are still awaiting some parts for the bike from Aprilia," said Bird.

"We still have some work to do but now it's all about the first race in Qatar so we will get a better picture of where we are then."

This season represents a huge challenge for Bird, who also has Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki riders Stuart Easton and Shane 'Shakey' Byrne flying the Paul Bird Motorsport flag in the British Superbike paddock.

Easton and Shakey worked hard on the set-up of their Kawasaki ZX-10Rs at the official BSB tests at Brands Hatch and Snetterton although the team still has some work to do on the Motec ignition system prior to the opening race at Brands Hatch over Easter.

"The BSB team still has some work to do on the Motec systems we are using this year so we may have a run out at Knockhill later this week, but both Stuart and Shakey are making solid progress and will be good to go for Brands Hatch," concluded Bird.