Kagayama looks strong in Spanish test

Rizla Suzuki British superbike rider Yukio Kagayama lapped just a second slower than fastest man John Reynolds during pre-season testing at Valencia on Tuesday.Kagayama, completed 52 laps on his GSX-R1000, in a second test day on the trot. His performance should dispel fears that he won’t be ready for the start of the new season.

He is still recovering after a horrific crash at Cadwell Park last August, but said: “It feels great to be back on my GSX-R. I am feeling good and we are starting to make progress with new parts. But as I am still healing, I am riding very safe and taking no risks. I really want to ride harder, but I am holding back as this is not a race, only a test. I am very pleased that my lap times are good without pushing hard.”Team-mate Reynolds was happy with the parts he was testing on his GSX-R1000 and he also spent time trying new Dunlop tyres.”Yesterday we learnt some lessons and today we put them into practice and took well over a second off our lap times and I am happy with that. I tested some Dunlop tyres for race distance and enjoyed myself on track today, helped a bit by the weather which was much better than yesterday. I am looking forward to testing again at the weekend.”Team manager Paul Denning said: ” There’s a lot more to come from John as he is still riding within himself and testing parts. We are all looking forward to see what sort of improvements both riders can make when they test here again at the weekend alongside the MotoGP teams.”

HRC, Suzuki and Ducati MotoGP teams will be joined by the Proton V5 at the Valencia MotoGP test, on March 6-7.The official British Superbike Championship test is at Donington Park on Sunday March 14. The first BSB round is at Silverstone on March 28.