Positive test for Honda Racing ahead of the North West 200
Honda Racing riders John McGuinness and Conor Cummins completed a two-day test at Castle Combe, Wiltshire yesterday in preparation for the forthcoming 2015 North West 200, which will take place in Northern Ireland 10-16 May.
The first day of the test saw the team complete a full day on track, while overnight rain and intermittent showers on Wednesday morning meant McGuinness and Cummins were only able to get out in the afternoon on their Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP machines.
The outing has proved positive for both riders who were testing various Dunlop tyre compounds, trying different electronic settings and fine-tuning the suspension with the K-Tech engineers who were on-hand.
The Castle Combe test was the second time McGuinness has ridden the CBR this year, following a test in March at Monteblanco in Spain. The 21-time TT winner is feeling confident and fit ahead of the North West and also this year’s Isle of Man TT races after suffering a wrist injury last year, which affected both events for the ‘Morecambe Missile’.
Team-mate Cummins is in his second year with the Honda Racing squad and had a successful debut with the team in 2014, scoring three Superbike podiums in total with one at the North West and two at the TT. The Manx-man leaves the test confident and looking forward the races ahead.
The North West 200 takes place in two weeks time from 10-16 May, with McGuinness and Cummins competing for Honda Racing in the two Superbike races on Saturday 16 May. Forming a triangle between the Northern Irish costal towns of Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart, the 8.970-mile course is one of the world’s fastest.
John McGuinness
It’s been a really solid test at Castle Combe over the two-days. I’m really happy, motivated and looking forward to the next two months, which will be busy for us all with the North West 200 and also the Isle of Man TT. The whole package is awesome with the bike, the team and also my team-mate. My wrist is feeling good and I’m feeling bike fit and strong. Both of the pre-season tests have been positive and I just can’t wait to be on my bike again for the races.
Conor Cummins
We’ve worked hard and on a lot of different settings over the two days. We tried a different electronics package on the bike, which is different to last year and required some hard work and lots of laps. It’s been really productive and worthwhile and I’m happy with the direction we have and can work towards now. The best thing about this year is the amount of time on-track we’ve had on the CBR and I can’t wait to get to the North West now.