Honda TT Legends out in force at Bol d’Or test The Honda TT Legends team has completed the 2012 Endurance World Championship pre-season test at Magny Cours, with all four riders in the new line-up together for the first time. John McGuinness, Cameron Donald, Simon Andrews and Gary Johnson all took part in the two-day test in preparation for the first race of the year the Bol d’Or 24-hour which will take place at the same circuit on 14/15 April. Following a busy winter of development on the 2012-spec Honda Fireblade, the team took the opportunity to run-in the new components on the bike and bring the riders up to pace on a race set-up. For McGuinness, Donald and Andrews, the test was a chance to get reacquainted with the French circuit, while Johnson tackled the 4.4km track for the first time. The cooler mornings at Magny Cours also allowed the team to test cold tyre compounds in preparation for the overnight section of the Bol d’Or, where temperatures can drop to below 5ºc. The final afternoon saw the four riders complete a successful race simulation. The Honda TT Legends will be back in France in just three weeks to tackle the race for real at Bol d’Or 24-hour. Russell Benney Race Manager We had five or six elements developed during the off-season that needed more miles and this test has allowed us to see how these will perform. We also wanted to get the riders up to race pace based on 2011’s lap times and work on various other elements on the bike, such as the suspension and geometry, so that we are ready to go at the race meeting without making too many changes. To that extent, we have achieved what we came here to do so we’re happy. John McGuinness It’s been good to get back together with everybody. It’s been a couple of days of team bonding as well getting on the bike. There have been a few positive changes since last year’s Bol d’Or and we’re heading in the right direction. All four of us have done plenty of laps. Last year I was a bit nervous coming to this meeting, I didn’t know the track and I’d never done a 24-hour before but I’ve got a year under my belt now and it all feels like the norm. We’ll be back here in a couple of weeks for the race and hopefully we’ll be on it. Cameron Donald It’s great to be back with the team and get back to work after a long off season. It really feels like a family now and we’re all optimistic about the season ahead. We couldn’t have asked for a better first test, the sun is shining at a track we’re familiar with and we’re moving forward. I’m excited about the race in three weeks time. Gary Johnson I’ve done some fairly decent stints on the bike and my body has held up well so I’m happy about that. Obviously this test is nowhere near what it’s going to be like at a 24-hour race, but it’s been a good chance to get to know the track. I’ve built my speeds up slowly and I’m getting towards the pace that I need to be on. I’m apprehensive about the race it’s always difficult going into something you’ve never done before but I’m really looking forward to it. Simon Andrews It’s been a good productive couple of days. The weather has treated us well, we’ve made some good progress with the bike and it’s been nice to meet everyone in the team. I’m feeling good on the bike, my injured leg is getting stronger. I’ll continue with the physio and rehab between now and the race and keep doing what I’m doing as it seems to be working well. I can’t wait to get back in three weeks and race here for the first time. More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad France: Eupen, Belgium – 24 March 2012 – BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent head into the 2012 season with confidence, after successfully completing the two-day Pre-Bol d’Or test at Magny-Cours this week. With no official timing during the two-day test, direct comparisons between teams proved difficult, but BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent was, once again, one of the fastest teams on track, as Sébastien Gimbert, Erwan Nigon, Damian Cudlin and Hugo Marchand put the 2012 BMW S1000RR through its paces. The team focussed on further refining the set-up of the 2012 BMW S1000RR during the test, as well as working closely with Michelin to identify the best tyre options for the Magny-Cours track. Overall it was another positive test for BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent, who will return to Magny-Cours in just two week’s time for the Bol d’Or, the opening race of the 2012 Endurance World Championship, which takes place over the weekend of 14th and 15th April. Sébastien Gimbert: “The pre-Bol d’Or was another good test for us, with a lot of progress made with the bike. The 2012 BMW S1000RR is very different to last year’s bike. It’s more manoeuvrable, has better traction and is definitely a big step forward in terms of performance. We have also found a good set-up that makes the bike easy to ride, which is important for a 24-hour race at a physically demanding circuit like Magny-Cours. Michelin have also been working hard over the winter, with a new rear tyre bringing us a big improvement in grip. Overall I have a good feeling with the new bike and the same is true of my three teammates, which the lap times show quite clearly. But testing is done; now we must race. A lot can happen during 24 hours of racing, but I’m confident that we can start the season with a good result at the Bol d’Or. I’m not just ready to race, I’m really ready to race!” Erwan Nigon: “We completed a lot of work on the bike during the two days at Magny-Cours. We tested many changes to the balance, to the front fork and to the chassis, with positive results. We ended up with two good settings; one that made the bike easy to ride and one that was ultimately quicker, but demanded more input from the rider. Now we need to analyse the data, to find a final set-up that combines the best of these two options for the race. I am ready to race. I have confidence in the BMW S1000RR, in my teammates and in my team, so I’m sure we can start the season strongly at the Bol d’Or.” Damian Cudlin: “I missed the first day of the test, because I was travelling back from Jerez, but I was on the pace from the start on day two, which just shows how good the BMW S1000RR is. The bike is fast, without a doubt, but we still have some work to do ahead of the first race. We need to make the bike easier to ride for 24 hours, as it’s quite physically demanding at the moment, but we made progress with this towards the end of the test and I know we have a good starting point for the first practice session ahead of the Bol d’Or. The preseason tests have gone well, but now I’m looking forward to racing the 2012 BMW S1000RR for the first time at Magny-Cours.” Michael Bartholemy: Team Manager: “The pre-Bol d’Or test at Magny-Cours is an important one for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is ideal preparation for the first race of the season, which takes place on the same circuit just two weeks later. Secondly, it is the first time that all the teams come together to test, allowing everyone to gauge just how strong the competition will be during the season. Direct comparisons were difficult, as there was no live timing at the test, but it was clear that we were on the pace, as we expected to be. Starting the season with a 24 hour race like the Bol d’Or is tough for everyone – a lot can happen when you race around the clock – but we have done the work during the winter and hopefully we’ll reap the benefits in the race.”