BSB: Winter testing set to commence in Spain

Most of the Bennetts British Superbike grid will kick start their 2018 winter testing programmes over the next week as they swap ‘snowmageddon’ for southern Spain.

The annual Cartagena Pro-Test, run by ex-Honda boss Barry Symmons, will get underway tomorrow with a large portion of the 2018 grid in attendance alongside a number of Supersport, Superstock, Motostar, Ducati Cup and road racing competitors.

The test will run until Monday with superbike teams splitting their time on track through those days.

Josh Brookes will make his debut on the McAMS Yamaha from Thursday morning alongside new team-mate Tarran Mackenzie, while Gino Rea will get his first taste of the OMG Racing Suzuki Superbike machine. Tommy Bridewell will also make his Halsall Racing return at the test.

Reigning champion Shane Byrne will be on track on the 2^nd and 3^rd March with team-mate Glenn Irwin and the PBM team, while Peter Hickman, Sylvain Barrier and the Smiths BMW team will be on track from 2^nd-5^th. MotoRapido Ducati are also in attendance with Taylor Mackenize.

Tyco BMW riders Christian Iddon and Michael Laverty will be on track for the entire test, as will Silicone Engineering’s Dean Harrison . Jake Dixon will be on track for the entire five days with the RAF Kawasaki team.

JG Speedfit Kawasaki, who started their winter testing at Jerez in November and January will return to action at Monteblanco on Monday 5^th March alongside Honda Racing with the PBM team also joining them at the circuit close to Seville for the three-day test.

James Ellison's TAG Racing squad completed their Spanish testing in Cartagena last week, while Buildbase Suzuki's Bradley Ray and Richard Cooper will continue to test in the UK (when the weather improves) after their foray in Cartagena in January. 

A number of teams will head to Guadix after Cartagena/Monteblanco, ahead of the official Bennetts BSB test at Donington Park on March 20^th, where the first round of the season will also commence between 31^st March and 2^nd April.

CARTAGENA PRO TEST – Thursday 1^st March – Monday 5^th March 

MONTEBLANCO TEST – Monday 5^th March – Wednesday 7^th March