Rizla Suzuki Superbike star Chris Walker has become the first British Superbike rider to sample the new Mondello Park surface. The former World Superbike contender recently took part in a Mondello Park Motorcycle Track Day to familiarise himself with the track layout prior to his circuit debut in June’s Bennetts British Superbike round at the track. Walker spent a full day at the circuit taking to the track on a standard Suzuki GSXR 1000. It was the BSB star’s first ride on a road going version of the bike, on which his Superbike mount is based, and he expressed his satisfaction saying “It’s good to know the layout and the track time I got today, even though I was on a road bike, means that I can really go for it from Friday’s first practice session when we return here for the race. Everyone in this championship is riding really fast and I can’t afford to be wobbling around on Friday learning the track.” Walker had never ridden Mondello prior to the track day and could not compare the improved surface to what went before, but said that he could see no particular problem areas with the circuit. Having heard some things about the Mondello circuit from his BSB rivals, Walker had an idea what to expect but found the circuit to be “Better than expected. This is a fun circuit and the facilities are very good. A Superbike will be a handful around here but the racing should be excellent and my Superbike rivals have all told me that they really enjoy coming over here, so I’m really looking forward to getting back here for the race.” The Bennetts British Superbike Championship returns to Mondello Park for its only annual overseas trip on June 15th – 17th.