Pata Honda nears first 2015 test dates

The number one plate holders will get a jump on most of their 2015 WSB competitors when Pata Honda riders Sylvain Guintoli (2014 WSB champ) and Michael van der Mark (2015 WSS champ) start testing at Portimao between 14-16 January.

The much shortened testing ban has had little real effect on the top teams in reality but for Honda, with two new riders on their CBR1000RR machines this year, there will be three test sessions before the team packs up to head to Phillip Island for the official test period and then round one.

After the early kick off at Portimao Guintoli and van der Mark will then head to Spain for tests alongside KRT at Motorland Aragon on 19 and 20 Jan. This will be a two-day test to allow the CBR riders to head to the official team launch in Verona. The launch itself will be on the 24^th, at the Motor Bike Expo, where all of the official Honda plans for 2015 will be unveiled.

After the launch in Italy the final European test will be at Jerez in Spain in late January, with most of the top teams in the paddock in attendance.