Ten Kate finally get to test 2008 Honda Fireblade

Ten Kate Honda will finally get to test their all new 2008 specification Honda CBR1000RR’s this week at Almeria in Spain.

The Dutch team have been flat out for the last month preparing the new bikes after the decision was made to run them from the start of the season.

So far only BSB Champion and new Ten Kate Honda recruit Ryuichi Kiyonari has even sat on a 2008 race bike when he rode one in Japan so the teams three day test will be a busy one for all three riders, Kiyonari, Carlos Checa and Kenan Sofuoglu.

Ten Kate will be joined by former BSB Champion Gregorio Lavilla onboard the Stobart Honda CBR1000RR.

Unlike the Ten Kate riders, Lavilla will test the 2007 specification bikes used by Shane Byrne and Tom Sykes in BSB.

With the late arrival of the 2008 bike and the early start to the WSB season, the British team are set to campaign the 2007 bikes at the opening two rounds in Qatar and Phillip Island before switching to the 2008 bike when the series kicks off in Europe in April.

Britons Craig Jones will also get his first test onboard the 2008 specification Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR.

Jones is set to complete four days at the Spanish circuit before his bikes will be shipped to Qatar for a two day test one week before the opening round of the championship.