Echoing nothing but positive words after a recent test at Monteblanco, Spain, six times international road race winner Lee Johnston recently provided a candid reaction to his first outing aboard Honda Racing’s 2018 International roads mounts.
Piloting for the first time the factory backed Superstock/Superbike CBR 1000 Fireblade SP2 Honda’s, the affable racer was also at the controls of Ian Hutchinson’s TT 2018 Superbike steed, with the Bingley rider still sidelined through injury.
Despite some problematic weather within the three day test, Fermanagh’s Johnston still clocked up in excess of 100 laps, as he steadily acclimatised himself with his machinery stable, for this years North West 200 and TT Races.
Photo via https://www.hondaracingcbr.com/
Speaking after the test at Monteblanco, the three times Ulster GP race winner stated:
“The test at Monteblanco has been really positive; it was our first official test as a team and although a little unlucky with the weather we’re coming away in a really good place.
The first two days we didn’t really get through much, but the last day was really productive and we managed to cram everything in.
It’s been a little busy riding my Fireblade and Hutchy’s, as well as the Superstock bike, but I’m feeling really good.”
He went onto add:
“Of course with any new bike and team it takes a while to get settled and get your own feeling, but I think we’re pretty much there and once we get to our next test at Castle Combe, I think we’ll be ready to hit the ground running and really get stuck in from the direction of this week.
The team are all working together really well and it was great to have Ian there this week and I can’t wait to see him aboard the machine when he’s ready, and we can work together more with the set up and feeling of the bikes.
We have a few weeks now before our next test and I already can’t wait to get there, and get going again.”
Words by Stevie Rial