BSB Silverstone test analysis
Who did what and why? MCN’s man on the ground, Josh Close, gets under the skin of the first BSB test
1 GLENN IRWIN WILL BE AN EVEN BIGGER THREAT IN 2021
Remember when the all-new, yet mostly stock, Fireblade won two races on its Bennetts BSB debut? Well, the Blade is back, and it’s enjoyed a winter full of development. “We have had a Santa’s sack full of parts,” Glenn Irwin told MCN at Silverstone. The stage is set for a blockbuster sequel to last year’s surprise package. Not only did Irwin top the test times and break the all-time circuit record, he also pointed out that he and the entire team finished the test with smiles on their faces. And that’s important. Honda back-to-back tested swingarms and have found electronics and stability improvements, whilst gaining more horsepower. The signs are positive and his speed is an early warning shot to his rivals.
2 YAMAHA ARE FINETUNING THEIR SUPER STABLE PACKAGE
“I haven’t felt pressure because I knew that the bike, even if we didn’t change anything from last year, would be alright!” Confident words from Jason O’Halloran after topping all four test sessions on day one. It’s hard to argue that his confidence is misplaced. The R1 worked perfectly in almost every department last year, aside from outright speed compared to the Ducati. According to O’Halloran, Yamaha seem to have found some top-end speed with an updated engine spec and exhaust system. This is a stable dream team, of three years, too. Tarran Mackenzie went under the lap record on the final day underlining his clear potential as a title contender, too.
3 KENT SHOWS HIS QUALITY
Sure, the GSX-R1000R won twice at Silverstone last year and Danny Kent has experience there, but it’s hard to ignore his positive start to life in BSB. Progressing from an opening day crash to third overall, Kent admitted he was surprised at just how comfortable he was. Things will be tougher at other more ‘British’ circuits, but it’s a good confidence booster. Likewise, Gino Rea ensured that both Suzuki riders were inside the top six. Buildbase Suzuki have been working closely with Japan, particularly on the electronics side of things and on a new engine spec. Rea also used the Suter swingarm for the first time.
4 YOU CAN’T JUDGE BROOKES ON TESTING
It’s clear at this stage you should take Josh Brookes’ testing results with a pinch of salt. The two-time champion won’t be worried with 12th, despite suffering a finger injury after an admittedly scary crash at Becketts at the end of day two.
The Aussie is at such a high level he can easily jump back on his V4 R and pick up where he left off last year because he understands the package beneath him.
5 KYLE RYDE ON TARGET TO BE BSB’S NEW YOUNG STAR
It’s been eight years since we’ve had a ‘young’ title winner in BSB; with Alex Lowes becoming the youngest-ever champion at 23 – the same age as Kyle Ryde. Ryde made an impression in his maiden campaign, with two victories at Silverstone. Now though, he’s jumped onto the BMW M1000RR and explained that he felt confident and comfortable, especially with the front-end. Ryde won twice at Silverstone last year so the Snetterton and Oulton tests will perhaps show his true potential, but it’s a bright start nevertheless.
6 THE M1000RR CAN TAKE BMW BACK TO THE FRONT
All-in-all it was a great start to life for the BMW M1000RR. Whether it was the fully updated bike or a hybrid of the S1000RR engine and M1000RR aero package, the BMW riders were competitive. There were four BMWs inside the top 11 and all four riders have only just joined the German firm from other teams. Behind Ryde, SYNETIQ BMW’s Danny Buchan
and Andrew Irwin finished seventh and eighth. Having two race winners coming in and working together to develop the new bike is a huge advantage for the TAS run SYNETIQ team. FHO Racing should be excited too with the ever-professional Xavi Fores jumping straight back into the mix upon his return, while Peter Hickman was 15th, less than a second off the pace.
7 RORY’S TIME WILL COME
A look at the timesheets could have some Rory Skinner fans worried, but there’s no need to be. The Scot has a big following and expectations are high, however this was his first-ever outing on a Superbike and Pirelli slicks. He isn’t the type of rider to jump straight in and push for a quick lap and suffer multiple crashes as a result. Skinner acknowledges that he needs to take his time to understand and learn a bike which is also new to his FS-3 Kawasaki team this season. It’s early days and there’s plenty of test days ahead of him.
8 EXCITEMENTS RISES OVER HONDA’S NEW RECRUITS
Honda’s new Japanese stars Takumi Takahashi and Ryo Mizuno made impressive starts. It was a professional job from both as they began adapting to their BSB-spec Fireblades and Pirelli tyres. Both Takahashi and Mizuno were only a second off their teammate’s leading time. With 10 other rivals below them, both riders are no slouches. Dan Linfoot also returned to the Honda brand through a new partnership with TAG Racing. Linfoot is rejuvenated and excited to be back racing again after 2020’s difficulties.
9 RAY’S WRIST COSTS HIM TIME
Bradley Ray’s campaign will start a little later after he sat out Silverstone due to a wrist injury. Ray had surgery five weeks ago to fix ligament damage in his right wrist, an issue which had been bothering him for some time now. Ray will push for a return at this week’s Snetterton test.
10 THE SCX PIRELLI TYRE IS COMING
Pirelli introduced the super soft SCX rear at the test. It’s tough to call at this stage how useful the SCX will be in BSB. In WSB it was used in the 10-lap sprint race, but BSB’s Saturday sprints are longer. It may be worth a punt and may introduce multiple race strategies. Scott Redding hit out that he was too heavy to make it last in WSB, but for lighter riders, like Michael Ruben Rinaldi it was used to race-winning effect.