Be Wiser Ducati Upbeat After Spanish Tests
Reigning Bennetts British Superbike champions, Be Wiser Ducati Racing Team, have concluded their extensive Spanish pre-season testing schedule which saw Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Glenn Irwin in action at Cartagena, Monteblanco and Guadix.
Despite less than ideal weather conditions over the past couple of weeks, as well as both riders contracting minor food poisoning during the trip, both defending and six times champion Byrne and BSB race winner Irwin reported plenty of positives aboard their factory-supported Be Wiser Ducati Panigale Rs.
Starting their third consecutive season together for Paul Bird’s Penrith-based team, Byrne, from Sittingbourne in Kent, was fastest at the opening test at Cartagena, whereby many of his rivals were also present, whilst Irwin, from Carrickfergus in County Antrim, was at the cutting edge at both Monteblanco and Guadix despite the inclement weather. Both Shakey, along with existing crew chief Giovanni Crupi and Glenn, working with new crew chief Ryan Rainey for the first time, reported good progress in preparation for the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Donington Park over Easter.
Shane Byrne: “We didn’t get the best conditions, nor did we get through as much work or run as many laps as we would have liked but it’s been a very good couple of weeks. We hardly got any pre-season testing last year and that affected the opening couple of rounds so we are a lot better placed this year. When we started this project, I said I wouldn’t take any shortcuts with my Be Wiser Ducati’s development yet at all three tests, that same development has transformed my bike even further. I’m very proud of our work and can’t wait to get the season going now.”
Glenn Irwin: “Conditions certainly hindered our track time at all three circuits which wasn’t ideal. Cartagena saw us have some teething issues which we rectified but I was happy to leave Monteblanco on the pace and again similarly at Guadix. Ryan has come in as my new crew chief and I must thank the entire team for helping him settle in. My Be Wiser Ducati is close to Shakey’s regarding base settings now which clearly works, and I feel close to the level I need to be at to fight at the front from the start of the season.”
Johnny Mowatt (Team Co-ordinator): “All three tests where hit with mixed conditions and cold temperatures which limited the team’s testing programme, however, both riders got through what they needed to. With new members joining the team in various positions we all gelled very well. Both riders sensibly took their time to get up to speed but did a few race runs over the eight days so the cobwebs have been well and truly blown away. We’ve got a few days back at base now in preparation for the Donington Park test next week and then the opening round at the end of the month.”
Indeed, both Byrne and Irwin will be at the official Bennetts BSB Test Day at Donington Park next Tuesday (20th March) where they’ll be in action along with all of their rivals prior to the opening round which gets underway at Donington Park on Easter Saturday (31st March).
For further information, please visit the team’s new and updated website, www.pbmuk.net and the official website of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship www.pbmuk.net