O’Halloran back on track for first time since Thruxton

Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran is set to return to track next week for the first time since his horrific Thruxton crash in August, as he heads to Spain to get his pre-season testing programme underway.

The Australian will travel to Spain’s Cartagena circuit to secure some track time on his Fireblade before the team’s official pre-season campaign gets underway next month.

“This has been a long time coming for me, but I’m so excited that I will finally be back on a bike next week! Throughout the recovery this day has kept me going and although at times I thought it was a distant dream, I never stopped believing it would eventually happen.

“The last few months have been so difficult with the initial accident, many operations and getting back to training, but I feel the whole thing has made me stronger and more determined for the new BSB season.

“A huge thanks to everyone at Honda and the team who have stood by me and for giving me another chance on the Blade this year, I can’t wait for testing to start and for the first round in April.”

O’Halloran’s comments were echoed by team manager Havier Beltran, whose decision to stick with him after the collision with another rider during qualifying at the Hampshire track left him returning to the squad for a second season.

 “I’m so happy for Jason to be back on two-wheels next week, as there are times during a riders’ recovery where you think ‘will this day ever happen’, but I’ve kept my belief with Jason and know just how strong he is. The test will be short at Cartagena and is a chance for him to get some laps in before our main test in March. I’m looking forward to receiving his feedback and seeing him back on a Superbike.”