Tyco Suzuki Complete Cartagena Test

[totalmotorcycle]

#Tyco #Suzuki Complete #Cartagena Test



Hopkins JohnThe Tyco Suzuki team has completed a positive preseason test at the Cartagena circuit in Spain, with new British Superbike signings John Hopkins, Josh Waters reacquainting themselves with GSX-R machinery.

Taylor Mackenzie worked on set up for his GSX-R600 ahead of a second year with the team in the competitive British Supersport championship, while William Dunlop also joined the team for the test, working on settings for his GSX-R1000 and GSX-R600 machines ahead of the opening road race of the season, the Cookstown 100.

For Hopkins and Waters, 2014 marks a return to Suzuki machinery, with Hopkins coming back from a year away spent recovering from a hip injury. Both riders slotted seamlessly into the team ahead of the opening round of the season on the 18-21 April.

Hopkins said afterwards, “I think the test was really positive. We definitely achieved what we aimed to achieve – which was to get comfortable on the bike again and get myself back-up-to-speed.

“With so long away from racing, I didn’t have extreme expectations at Cartagena, but we met every expectation that I had set myself and maybe a bit more; and the base setting on the Tyco Suzuki was really good.

“The boys did a great job with the bike right off the bat. We hardly changed anything over the course of the four days. Yeah, we made some minor tweaks and adjustments to smooth things out, which then helped me to lower my lap-time on each of the four days, so yeah it was very successful.

“It’s a great team and I’ve always enjoyed hanging out with guys from Northern Ireland so it’s been really positive.”

Waters JoshTeammate Josh Waters, a former Australian Superbike champion with Suzuki, added, “After such a long time off the bike over the winter it was good to have four days with the Tyco Suzuki boys and be back on a GSX-R1000 Superbike.

“It’s a really strong team and I’ve already settled in well and feel relaxed and confident. We made progress over the four days and it also gave me time to work with my new crew.

“I’ve also gelled really well with Hopper as a teammate and we had a lot of fun at Cartagena. The goal is to work together this season, which will only make both of us stronger. I’m now really looking forward to a positive second season in British Superbike with a great bunch of guys.”

Taylor Mackenzie suffered a huge crash, but still managed to impress with his lap times. ”After a big crash I was just pleased to be able to get the final two days of testing completed on the GSX-R600 Tyco Suzuki.

“It’s obviously my second season, but Hopper, Josh Waters and William Dunlop have all fitted in well, so it should be a good year all round.

“The test also gave me a chance to work with my new mechanic Alister Russell and along with my crew chief Derek Huxley, we couldn’t ask for more from an opening test.”

Dunlop WilliamRoad racer William Dunlop added, “Cartagena was another opportunity for me to try and few different settings on the Tyco Suzuki Superbike, which I love riding and clicked with really quickly at the opening test at Almeria with Guy Martin.

“We also had a run-out on the Supersport bike for the first time at Cartagena. We still have a bit of work to do but overall it was good to get some time on all three bikes over the two tests and I enjoyed being able to meet my new teammates and crew in Spain.”

Team Manager Philip Neill commented, “Despite having three new riders in our garage at Cartagena, I have to say things ran very smoothly indeed. Both Hopper and Josh put a lot of work in and I’m very pleased with the results they achieved over the four days.

“Lap times were not the optimum goal this week, but we were well within the ballpark and I’m very pleased with the progress both riders made day-on-day. Hopper proved his pedigree despite not having ridden for 16 months and Josh Waters has that big smile back on his face which is great to see. He too was posting impressive and consistent lap-times on the GSX-R1000 Superbike, so we have to be pleased overall.

“Taylor had a crash on day two but worked well and looks confident going into the new British Supersport season and William Dunlop also got some decent miles in on both GSX-R1000 and GSX-R600 machinery.”