The Be Wiser Ducati duo of Shane Byrne and Glenn Irwin are feeling satisfied after completing the two official MCE British Superbike tests this week.
The pair took part in the two tests, held at Silverstone and Donington Park, and were both happy with what the team achieved over the two days.
Cold conditions at Silverstone saw the riders gain important set-up information ahead of next weekend’s season-opener at the Northamptonshire circuit, with Byrne ending the day in seventh.
Thursday’s test at Donington Park was much better as the sun came out and Byrne ended the day in second after narrowly losing out to Michael Laverty.
Following the Donington test , Byrne said: “It was great to top the timesheets in the second session today and that put a smile on my face, but it’s what I’m paid to do. We have worked hard since Silverstone and are still making chunks of progress and I have to keep reminding myself that we have a brand-new make of bike, a brand new model and lots of other things which are new in the team – so to be up with those riders on established set-ups isn’t too shabby at this stage.
“That was the quickest I’ve been round Donington but to me, times in testing are irrelevant, it’s what we do in the races next weekend that matter.”
Byrne’s teammate, Irwin, made great progress as he looks to get to grips with the Panigale R Superbike machine, ending the day in eighth position.
The 26-year-old is preparing for his first season in the top class after three years in the British Supersport Championship and he cannot wait to get started next weekend.
The Ulsterman said: “After Spain, it was good to get back to tracks I was familiar with and I knew I had to push on with getting to grips with the Ducati. At Silverstone, we did just that and I felt I unlocked something which we carried over into Donington.
“It’s all about track time for me and with every lap, I was gaining in confidence and in the end, I was happy with my lap times as they came on my own, with a tow or anything. Now I’m looking forward to Silverstone next weekend and the plan is to get as many points on the board as possible whilst being realistic about what we can achieve.”
The first practice session of the 2016 BSB season gets underway on Friday, April 8.
