Crucial first test for BSB rookie
‘Cool’ to be passed by Irwin, says Cook
Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki’s Lee Jackson and Max Cook were also present in Monteblanco, completing two full days before moving on to Andalucia on Monday.
For Cook, it was a chance to get some crucial track time ahead of his rookie campaign in the Superbike class. Cook makes the big jump from Junior Superstock after storming to the title with nine race wins in 2022. He also impressed in a British Supersport wildcard at the season finale.
“It was an awesome two days, it’s a wicked track,” Cook told MCN. “It was really nice to ride with other BSB riders; I think in one session I was catching up to Davey Todd, so that was pretty cool. Being overtaken by the likes of Lee and Andrew Irwin, it’s cool because you’ve watched them on telly and now they’re right in front of you. “
Cook is working with Matt Llewellyn, who has previously worked with Danny Buchan and Rory Skinner at the team.
“Each session I felt I got better and better and I ended the test really positively. I’m feeling comfortable on the bike. Obviously, I know it’s much faster, but Matt and the team are helping me to ease into it.
“I started off with Superstock parts to make the bike a little more friendly to ride, and then as I’m getting faster, they’re introducing me to the Superbike parts.”
Jackson is looking to build on what was a breakthrough campaign for him in BSB, after clinching his first two victories in 2022.
“Day one was just about getting back up to speed and I was very happy with the lap time I managed,” Jackson told MCN. “We got the laps in we needed to and tried some things in certain areas. It was useful to put some miles back on the body, back on the bike, and to just get comfortable.
“We have a couple of bits coming which will be nice to try at Andalucia. I really feel like the bike will be as competitive as last year, if not better!”
‘In one session I was catching up with Davey’