With testing now done at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, it’s time for all the data that’s been collected. Honda were one of the busiest manufacturers at the test, with four riders on track on Day 1 and three on Day 2, completing several hundred laps of the Spanish venue. After making great strides throughout 2024 to become regular contenders in the top ten, Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) and Team Manager Jose Escamez spoke after the test about the next steps for Honda.
The #97 was the sole race rider from Team HRC as teammate Iker Lecuona was undergoing surgery on a foot injury. Vierge completed 80 laps on Day 1 and 86 on Day 2 as he collected lots of information and data for the Honda engineers. His best time came on the second day when he set a 1’39.438s which, at the time was good enough for P2. As other riders improved, the Spaniard fell to fourth in the day’s classification. He was joined on track by Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) and Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) on both days, plus test rider Tetsuta Nagashima on Day 1.
Reflecting on his test, Vierge said: “It’s been a really important two days for us. We mainly focused on the electronics, doing a lot of back-to-backs on the bike setup, also on the suspension. It’s been really good because we had different track conditions. In the morning, it was so grippy because the temperature was quite fresh. During the day, it was super-hot so we can compare data from all conditions. It’s been really important. We did a lot of laps, trying all those things, and now the engineers will have a long winter to work on it to make the steps forward we need. We focused on race pace. We improved a little bit there which is important because the conditions change and it gets hotter, we struggle a bit more. I think we made some progress in that.”
His thoughts were echoed by team boss Escamez, who also gave his thoughts on the test but explained the next steps for Honda after a mixed 2024. The team made progress throughout the year after starting it off by being outside the top ten, before making their way forwards, step-by-step, which culminated in a podium for Lecuona at Estoril in the penultimate round of the season.
Discussing the next steps for the Japanese manufacturer to continue making steps forward, Escamez said: “We’ve collected a lot of data in order to make priorities on what we really need, what we’re going to analyse and understand through the winter and take decisions for 2025. It’s always a pity that we couldn’t have Iker as he was having surgery. In any case, we made a priority of our needs and I think we’ve collected a lot of information. Xavi’s completed a lot of laps during these two days, and I think it’s going to be worth it to understand and work with all the concepts and work we’ve got planned.”
On the future testing plan, he added: “It depends on the data we’ve collected at Jerez, but I think the most important thing is going to be the electronics. I would say this is our priority right now. In the other areas, we want to improve. Probably a bit with the engine to see if we can find more potential, in terms of the chassis as well. I think the electronics will be the most important parts for us.”
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Source: WorldSBK.com