Shakedown issues on opening day of Cartagena testing

Minor technical issues marked the opening day of MCE British Superbike testing at Cartagena today, with a number of teams suffering from small problems as they adapt to new bikes, riders and team personnel.

Tyco BMW’s issues perhaps were the most dramatic, with a small fire in pit lane caused by overheating brake pads in Michael Laverty’s new S1000RR.

Speaking afterwards, Laverty commented: “We’ve had some small technical problems all day, but that’s to be expected with a new bike. We could probably have done with a shakedown test at somewhere like Kirkistown, but we’re getting there now – I’m getting more comfortable on the bike and we’re starting to adjust things like riding position.”

Teammate Tommy Bridewell also had mechanical problems during the day, but the Wiltshire rider quickly looked past them as he discovered the potential of the new-for-2015 BMW machine.

“The bike is mind-blowing – absolutely just a dream. I knew it was going to be good and that we would be strong and competitive but I didn’t quite realise the bike was going to be as strong as it is at this stage. We are so early in development that when we get to round one, we will have made a massive step again.”