Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki kick off testing at Aragon

In a busy week of pre-season testing for the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship teams, returning former championship winners Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki made their on track debut in Aragon, Spain with the sessions also marking Stuart Easton’s return to the track.

Shane Byrne and Stuart Easton completed an initial shakedown test at the 3.1-mile circuit, but high winds despite dry conditions the team focused on running in the new Kawasakis ahead of their second day on track tomorrow when it is expected to improve.

Easton said: “It felt good being back on the bike and there were no real surprises for me which was nice!

“It has been quite windy at the circuit today but on the first day we just wanted to run everything in; new bikes, new leathers, new everything and we have been able to do that.

“I think I did about 16 to 20 laps and now that we know that it is all running ok we can go back out tomorrow and get an indication of what we need to do next.

“We have five days on track so there was no point rushing today and we have plenty of time to get really stuck in. It has been nearly 10 months since I last rode so today I have ticked the box of getting back on a race bike again.”

Team manager Paul Risbridger said: “Despite the windy conditions at the circuit today it has been good to have an initial shakedown as it was the first time the bikes have run on track.

“The forecast for tomorrow is better and we are all set to go now that we have run everything in today so it has been a positive day, but not an outstanding one overall. The boys have both been able to do plenty of runs so it has been a solid start and we will see what tomorrow brings.”