Honda Racing’s MCE British Superbike pairing of Factory Dan Linfoot and Jason O’Halloran will kick off their test schedule at Monteblanco in Spain on Wednesday in preparation for the factory’s return to the championship.

It will be Linfoot’s first ride on the Fireblade while O’Halloran was part of the test team which developed the bike during Honda’s sabbatical from the championship last year.

“I am really looking forward to the first test – I think I am more excited than I was at Christmas! This first test is all about getting out on track again and my gelling with the bike and the team. I have raced Hondas before but I am expecting a big difference to the previous ones I have ridden,” said Linfoot.

“The team have a proven package of winning the title and I am expecting it to blow my mind. I am happy that we have a great chance to get some good mileage in before the Donington Park official test, so we can get comfortable and up to speed before coming back and then really get stuck into the British tracks.”

O’Halloran added: “I can’t wait to get started. For me this is great, because when I tested the bike last season it was in addition to racing in Superstock, so it was for feedback rather than for racing.

“I have been and seen the team and it seems like the bike is ready to rock and roll already, so we need to blow the cobwebs away from the winter then we have the chance to build up and make changes with the time we have on track. I know that the bike is already at a good starting point as it will be a refined version of what I tested last season so I can’t wait to get started.”

• bikesportnews.com will be at Monteblanco from Thursday morning, perfectly placed to put stuff in Linfoot’s boots and generally make a nuisance of itself…