Phase One Yamaha have begun their pre-season test schedule with some track time in the sun at Spain's Albete circuit.

It was the riders' first time on the 2009 Yamaha R1 and team regular Alex Cudlin is impressed with the new bike as well as being happy to be in a solid team for the season.

“For me it was very important to have this test with Phase One. For the past three years I have been on a different bike with a different team, and have been riding on a different brand of tyres. It was great to start afresh with this team - they have the right combination of bike, tyres, riders, mechanics and back up. It feels like a brand new chapter in my career,” said the Aussie.

After having such a long time off a bike, with virtually no riding since the second-to-last round of the 2008 World Endurance Championship in September, Cudlin said felt great to get back in the saddle and have a good test.
 
“The new team and I worked well together from the first day and I feel like I'm already part of the Phase One family. With the progress that was made during the test I'm confident of a successful 24hour race with the Phase One Yamaha Team – I can’t wait to get out there and show what I can do as part of this team.

"There is a lot more speed to come yet and I feel I made the right progression throughout the weekend. This is a great opportunity to work with a world class crew and I feel very privileged to do so," he added.

The Phase One Yamaha team will now be working hard from their base in England, to further develop the new Yamaha R1 and prepare a second bike before the first round in four weeks' time.