A first preseason test of 2024 has been conducted in Spain by Honda Racing UK, focusing mostly on its upcoming road racing campaign.

The roads focus of the test was essentially necessitated by the test ban that’s in-place for British Superbike Championship teams until the official test at Donington at the beginning of April.

As a result, while Andrew Irwin and Tommy Bridewell were both present at the test at Circuit Andalucia this week, they were only able to ride Superstock-spec machinery.

“It’s only a Superstock bike,” said Bridewell, “but it’s good to get an understanding of the way the inline-four engine works, the way the chassis works and the split throttle.”

That was an area of particular focus, Bridewell said, while the chassis had made a positive impression on the reigning BSB champion. “We’re focusing on understanding the split throttles which has been really important as that understanding forms the fundamentals of what we develop going forward. The chassis, too, is encouraging. I rely heavily on front-end feeling, riding with a lot of brake pressure and trailing the brake hard into the corner, and this test has given me some real confidence in those areas.”

Andrew Irwin had similar comments to his new teammate, Bridewell, but also had his own concerns to address. “This test has been all about getting back into things,” the #18 said. “Yes, this is only a Superstock bike, but I’m riding well and physically I’m in a really good place, which is absolutely the priority after last year.”

“In truth,” Irwin said, last year’s injury problems are “now firmly behind us and my focus is entirely on the year ahead and looking forward. We have more tests on the horizon and I can’t wait to get onto the Superbike and crack on.”