In Spain

British rider Tommy Bridewell made his intentions clear by breaking the class lap record at Cartegena when testing for the first time this year aboard the Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha R1 last week.

The 20-year-old from Devizes in Wiltshire was taking part in a three-day test at the Spanish circuit in readiness for his assault on the FIM 1000 Superstock Cup and Italian Superstock Championship for the Mantova-based team along with team-mates Michele Pirro (Supersport) and Niccolo Rosso who was also on the new R1.

Pirro recorded a time of 1.35.5 on his R6 and Rosso went round in 1:37.5 but Bridewell stopped the clocks with an amazing lap of 1:35.1, just a tenth of a second outside the Superbike lap record around the 3.6km track.

Speaking afterwards, Tommy said: "We had so much to test during the three days, I was hardly ever off the bike and to set my fastest lap when the conditions were not ideal was very satisfying. We tested suspension, tyres and got a good base setting and I have to say, this bike is absolutely fantastic. It's so responsive, fast and it handles really well, I reckon it's going to be the bike to beat this year."

Tommy will run under number 46 this season, his late brother Ollie's traditional race number, and the team is planning another test at Valencia in mid-March before the opening round of the FIM 1000 Superstock Cup at the same track on April 5th.