New Moto Rapido Ducati recruit Tommy Bridewell is feeling happy after the first day of term with his new squad – but admits getting used to the sound of the Ducati is taking some time.
Bridewell made his debut with the team this morning in free practice one, and had been running in a strong 12th position for most of the session, only dropping down the order in the final minutes.
And after his first time on any Ducati, he admits the transition has been much smoother than expected and is eager to get back out tomorrow.
“All of my career I’ve ridden the let’s say more conventional Japanese style inline-four bikes so there was always going to be that element of nerves and anxiousness to see how I would adapt,” he told Bikesport News.
“But I didn’t think I’d be as comfortable as I have been straight away. The only thing that takes a bit of time getting my head around is the sound of it. The bike doesn’t sound fast, but it is going fast.
“When you’re on your own and you’re trying to put together a lap you can get sucked into trying to over-ride the bike to make it sound fast and it doesn’t like it. Where I felt I was really slow it turns out I was fast.”
This weekend comes ahead of Bridewell’s return to Japan where he will contest next weekend’s Suzuka 8 Hours, and having just returned to the UK following two private tests with S-Pulse Dream Suzuki team, changing bikes and tyres has kept him on his toes.
“I have a very close relationship with Suzuki and that won’t change because they’re friends,” he explained. “The Suzuka bike is totally different from anything back here and you’re running the Bridgestones.
“I’m actually quite proud of myself being able to adapt, one to the Ducati, two to no electronics and then three back to Pirellis. I’ve certainly made it tricky for myself but I feel good that we were running sort of top 12 in almost that whole first session.
“Our plan was to stay with the same tyres the whole session, I still did my fastest lap with the same tyres. All in all it’s been a very good day.”