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Successful Spanish test for Devitt RC Express Racing

Monday 14 March 2016
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RC Express Racing complete an excellent test in Spain - Alan Bonner enjoyed getting to grips with his Kawasaki. Photograph by Stephen Davison

The Devitt RC Express Racing team recently completed their first test session in preparation for the forthcoming International road racing season, including the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, with four successful days spent at the Spanish circuit of Cartagena.

Riders Ivan Lintin and Alan Bonner were both present with the duo putting in over 150 laps each over the course of the four days. 

Last year’s Bennetts Lightweight TT winner Lintin spent the four days on the ZX-10R Superbike and ZX-6R Supersport machines and immediately improved upon his times set at the corresponding test 12 months ago. The Bardney rider completed 190 laps in total and although he had a low speed spill on the second day, he was extremely happy with the amount of work done and in the improvements he was able to make.

For Bonner, it was his first official appearance in the team’s colours with the Southern Irishman concentrating the majority of his efforts on the 2015 Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock machine, which he’ll use during the course of the season. However, he also put in some laps on the 2015 Superbike machine as he continued to adapt to the Metzeler tyres he’ll be running this year.

Ivan Lintin: “It was really good to get plenty of bike time in the sun over in Spain and I was able to get through a lot of work. I was particularly pleased with the laps and time I got on the Superbike and felt very happy with how it was working and how comfortable I felt so that should stand me in good stead for the year ahead. The 600 hasn’t changed much since last year and we’ll have a new engine for when the season starts but we made a few suspension changes which were definitely a step in the right direction. I had a small off on the big bike on the second day but I was soon back up to speed and without a doubt, it was an extremely successful test.”

Ivan Lintin and Alan Bonner with the Devitt RC Express Racing Kawasaki in Spain. Photograph by Stephen Davison

Alan Bonner: “I had a great four days of testing in Spain and I’m loving being part of the Devitt RC Express Racing team! I got to test a lot of stuff with both the team and Richard from Maxton suspension and I couldn’t be happier with either the team or the bike. It’s a brilliant set up and I’m now really looking forward to the first race of the year at Scarborough next month.”

Ben Constable, Team Co-Owner: “It was a mega test for both the riders and the Devitt RC Express Racing team and we were able to get plenty of work done. We’re still awaiting a few parts for the 2016 ZX-10R but Ivan was able to carry on from where he left off this time last year and he was straight back into the swing of things. He had a bit of a tumble when he was pushing hard, particular with the edge grip, but he looked impressive throughout the four days.”

“Alan soon got used to the Superstock machine and got progressively faster as he got used to the Metzeler tyres that he’ll be using with us. He also had a stint on the Superbike and now has an appreciation in the difference between the two machines but we couldn’t have been happier with how it all went. Both boys were on fire and with a couple more tests planned over the next few weeks, we’re extremely confident of being in a strong position for our first race of the year at Scarborough next month.”

The team have scheduled more testing for later this month in the UK prior to their first race outing of the year at the Spring National, Scarborough on April 16-17.

 

Pictures by Stephen Davison – Pacemaker Press International


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