John Reynolds has already won a race just to make the starting grid for the opening action in this year's Bennetts British Superbike Championship at
Brands Hatch on Easter Monday - the defending title holder has battled against the odds to line up on the grid just 38 days on from breaking his right leg in testing.
Reynolds has been having intensive laser and hyperbaric treatment, also having a special protective boot made, in his efforts to make the double race opener. At a team test at
Mallory Park yesterday, Reynolds lapped on his Suzuki machine for the first time since he broke his leg to determine whether we would be fit enough to race.
"I completed 15-laps of Mallory Park yesterday and I am pretty happy that I can ride at Brands Hatch this weekend," commented Reynolds. "I'm going to defend my title from the off and my rivals had better be ready. I have asked my team technicians to alter my right foot brake settings so I can move around the bike more easily, but apart from that I am ready. I am not at full fitness, but I want to ride and more importantly, race. See you all at Brands Hatch!"
Reynolds Rizla team-mate Scott Smart has been left to do much of the pre-season testing due to JR's accident. Despite his hard work there stills seems to be some set-up to do on the all new K5 Suzuki.
"The engine is phenomenal, but we still have work to do - there is so much more to come out of this bike," smiled Smart who plans for maiden title glory this season, something that will not come easy for anyone in this year's packed 35 strong entry that features factory backed teams from five of the world's leading manufacturers.
Honda riders Ryuichi Kiyonari and Michael Rutter will make life difficult for their rivals - the HM Plant Fireblade duo have sent the lap records tumbling during pre-season testing and are planning a dominant campaign.
"Things are going really well, but it will be a tough season with so many good riders out there," admitted Rutter who finished last season as runner-up to Reynolds.
