Guadix Test

The Lack of an internet connection at Guadix high up in the Sierra Nevada hills means this is being written in the thawed out comfort of West Yorkshire...

We knew the weather forecast was a bit sketchy for our second test up at Guadix and when we were setting up is was cold, v..v..v very cold. But it was still a shock to see three inches of snow when you open the curtains of the Cave window in the morning.

You may have noticed I used the word “Cave” then – it wasn’t by mistake that was our accommodation at Guadix... a cave.
As the credit crunch continues to bite is saw fit to book us into three bedroom cave carved into the hillside just above the city... don’t feel sympathy for us it did have windows...ah the glamour of British Superbikes!

Anyway back to the testing – with 3inches of snow the start of the first day was delayed whilst it thawed out – incredibly by 3 o’clock the track was pretty much fully dry – but very cold. I did a couple of laps to check the bike/radiator. The grip level was very low due to the low track temp and the snow washing the rubber away.

For some reason the laws of physics state that: “the temperature in a pit/garage always feels -10degsC lower than outside” – taking that into account it felt like -8degC in the pit and we were all looking forward to getting back to the comfort and warmth of our cave!

Day two dawned with clear skies and once the ice had thawed the track temp climbed into double figures by around 12/1pm. When it did I got back on track to get dialled into the circuit. I’ve been to Guadix before but only for a half day test. The track was still pretty slick and everyone’s times although slower than previous were dropping by the lap.

We worked on gearing, suspension, and electronics set up and although the conditions weren’t perfect it was good to work though things and with a new team structure in 2010 testing isn’t just for the bike and rider.

Due to our return flight that evening from Malaga, we had to cut the test short at around 4pm to get the van packed and back on the road.
The van set off to complete its 3300mile trip back to Yorkshire and it’s fair to say it took everyone a few days to get over the intense but very productive testing week...

TT#21