Vivaldi progresses despite Bridewell fall.
The Vivaldi Racing Superbike team endured mixed fortunes on the first two days of their winter testing schedule at Cartagena in south-east Spain ahead of the 2006 Bennetts British Superbike season.
Having only had limited track time at a very cold and damp inaugural test at Croft Circuit in Yorkshire, England, the team were keen to maximise on the improved weather and track conditions that Cartagena offered.
The Vivaldi Racing Superbike team endured mixed fortunes on the first two days of their winter testing schedule at Cartagena in south-east Spain ahead of the 2006 Bennetts British Superbike season.
Having only had limited track time at a very cold and damp inaugural test at Croft Circuit in Yorkshire, England, the team were keen to maximise on the improved weather and track conditions that Cartagena offered.
The first day saw all three Superbike riders, Scott Smart, Ben Wison and Ollie Bridewell, concentrating on familiarising themselves with their brand new, Dunlop-shod, Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 bikes, each rider put in an average of 52 laps circuit.
Sole Vivaldi British Supersport contender, Tommy Bridewell, also completed around 50 laps on his new Suzuki GSX-R600 K6, a step up from his Virigin Yamaha R6 Cup bike of 2005. He focused on maximum track time to allow himself the opportunity to understand the differences between the power and handling of the two bikes.
However, day two brought disappointment for Bridewell when he topped off his bike in one of the morning sessions, sustaining an injury to his left hand. Although not thought too serious, Tommy went to hospital to have the wound assessed by doctors.
"Tommy crashed this morning," said technical manager Norris Farrow. "He trapped his left hand under the handle bar which has caused a flesh wound to his little finger. I spoke with him earlier and he seems in really good spirits. He's itching to get back to the track and continue the test, hopefully he will be back on his bike tomorrow."
"I was keen to get out on track in some nice weather and start concentrating on handling and suspension," Smart added. "I'm delighted to say the front end feels good, the bike seems a lot more stable than the GSX-R1000 K5 that I rode at the beginning of the 2005 season . Today saw us work even harder on suspension and set-up, we've made some big improvements and are definitely going in the right direction. Generally I'm really pleased with our progress."
