Hislop and Reynolds clash ruined by weather

The eagerly awaited first clash of the year between Steve Hislop and John Reynolds was something of a damp squib. Saturday’s Oulton Park testing was badly hit by rain and snow.

It wasn’t much of a welcome back for Hislop. The test was his first time out since breaking his ankle at Rockingham last September. He could only put in a handful of wet laps.

Reigning British superbike champion John Reynolds was similarly limited by conditions. He had little chance to hone his knowledge of his GSX-R1000. But he has the advantage of two full tests already completed in Spain.

Hislop said: ” We came here with the two bikes set up differently. One was pretty much as it left the factory and the other, which I rode, was set up like my old one. Even in three laps I could tell that it felt identical to my old one, but with a more responsive motor than last year.

He added: ” Though the ankle I broke at Rockingham last year is all right day-to-day, it was sore in this cold weather, so there was no point in me going out any more. We’re going over to Spain next week for a proper test. ”

Reynolds was also hoping to get a feel for his Rizla Suzuki in the wet, but admitted there was little to be gained from pushing the 185bhp GSX-R in the cold.

More on this story in MCN, out on Wednesday, March 6, 2002.