Rizla's sunshine test

While we’re shivering under the heaviest snowfalls in Britain for ten years Rizla Suzuki are testing at Calafat, Spain in ideal 24-degrees of sunshine.

Chris Walker completed 90 trouble-free laps yesterday (Wednesday) and Cal Crutchlow did 78 on the new GSX-R1000 K7s.

Walker had previously tested an early prototype version of the race bike in Valencia before Christmas but this was Crutchlow’s first time on the new bike, having ridden the old K6 at Mallory Park.

Walker said: “I’m so happy to be back on a bike again. When I was in WSB it seemed like we never stopped riding year and to get two months off like I’ve had this winter would have been pretty unusual.

“But I’m really pleased with the Rizla Suzuki. We tested lots of parts and different settings and generally got up to speed with a good run-out.”

2006 British Supersport Champion Crutchlow said: “This is the first time I’ve had a chance to do any decent mileage on a superbike in really good conditions.

“The new bike is better and stronger than the old bike in just about every way you could imagine.”

The team chose Calafat for this test because it resembles many of the aspects of the BSB tracks that the team will race at this year.

New team manager Simon Buckmaster said: “It’s an ideal circuit to test at because it’s got fast sweeping turns, slow hairpins and elevation changes – all the characteristics you’ll find at BSB tracks.”

Airwaves Ducati star Gregorio Lavilla, who lives near the Calafat circuit, turned up to watch the progress of his Rizla Suzuki rivals.

No times were released. The test continues today.