Since the acquisition of Circuito de Navarra by MSVR in 2022, there has been a keen eagerness from all teams to test the track and adhere to the complexities of the layout. The gates opened for testing this season on Tuesday 16th April for 2.5 days of Superbike testing, ahead of Round 1 on 20th-21st April 2024. The weekend marks the opening Round for the TAG Honda Superbikes of Fraser Rogers and Jaimie van Sikkelerus.
Replacing Silverstone in the Bennetts British Superbikes calendar, Navarra is one of Spain’s leading motor racing facilities. The venue boasts first-class facilities including 32 large pit garages, 17 hospitality suites and 27,500 sq m of asphalt paddock space along with a 500 sq meter viewing terrace above the pits garages which looks over the main straight.
Despite Circuito de Navarra being open for testing last Spring, none of the current TAG Honda team were present to test. Starting from scratch, the riders wasted no time in getting stuck in to the 3.9km resurfaced track.
The first full day of testing focused primarily on setup and making the development changes. As the opening official R&G test at Donington was compacted by inclement weather, both the riders and the team were not entirely confident that the bikes were handling the way the riders styles demanded. With no pressure on lap times, both Fraser Rogers and Jaimie van Sikkelerus were able to direct their attentions to the handling and behaviour of the machines.
Entering day 2, the focus was to complete laps at race pace and push for times that are point-scoring ahead of the race weekend.
Satisfied the bike set-up was right for both Jaimie van Sikkelerus and Fraser Rogers, both riders exited the pit-garages as soon as possible for the last testing session of the week. Jaimie set his fastest time during the fourth session, and finished on a high with a 1:38:769. Fraser saved the best for last, putting in a 1:37:644 best on the final practice session; placing him 12th in class.
