BSB: Irwin confident after first Honda outing

Andrew Irwin was impressed with Honda’s CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 after his first test with the Louth-based squad in Monteblanco.

After impressing in his short time as a Bennetts BSB rookie with the Be Wiser Ducati squad, Irwin will begin his first full season as a BSB rider with the works Honda Racing squad next year and got his first run out on the bike in Spain alongside new team-mate Xavi Forés.

Having only ridden the twin-cylinder Ducati Panigale in his short superbike career, Irwin had lots to learn in his first outing but the young gun was able to see the potential of his new steed, which he believes suits him better than the Ducati did this year.

“The test as a whole was really positive, it went better than I imagined it would do and I always set high standards so for something to go better than I expected means it was good!” he told MCN.

“I first went out of pit lane and it was very strange, moving from the Ducati, but after a few laps I was used to it! It’s a really nice bike to ride, one I feel suits me because I can attack with it. With the Ducati you can’t attack quite as much, you sort of have to take one step back to take two steps forward but with the Honda I can feel I can out and out attack and that’s the feeling I like. It’s the kind of bike where if you’re on a good lap you know you’re on a good lap because you’re pushing to the maximum while the Ducati was a little different, the quick laps never felt quick and when you pushed to the maximum you never really went any quicker!

“The team are really good, professional but at the same time you can have fun with the guys in the garage and a good laugh with Harv as well. I genuinely feel I’ve found somewhere where they want me to do well as much as I want to and I believe working together we can do a good job.

“I’m not coming into my first full season in BSB to make up the numbers and I think we can battle for the showdown, especially after the test and now I know what we have and I feel like we were going in the right direction with the bike in the test.”