Pre-season test routine still exciting for Superbikes ace

PRE-SEASON testing is old hat to British Superbikes ace Martin Jessopp but getting back on the bike for the first time still excites him.

The Yeovil-based racer's preparations for the 2013 MCE BSB Championship up a gear today as he takes to Donington Park for the first time on his new Ridersmotorcycles.com BMW.

Although admitting lap times in freezing conditions whilst competitors adapt to new rides are not likely to be world-beaters, Jessopp said he was looking forward to getting back on the track even if his approach was low key.

He said: "Rain or shine, if the track's open we need to get out there because we've got a lot of work to do.

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"This first test will just be a feeler, getting some laps under our belts to get the initial set-up sorted that you have to do when you build a new Superbike. We will have to look at the ignition and fueling, in the main.

"There's just one this week at Donington and three next week where we will getting closer to looking at lap times.

"On Thursday we will just be doing laps and laps to sort out the fuel distribution and things like the bar and gear lever positions.

"Everyone will take a look at each other. Other riders will be looking at the times from lap one, like I have before and made mistakes. But at the end of the day it's pre-season testing so I will just be out there worrying about myself and what we have got to do.

"Come Brands Hatch and race one all the guys that are usually at the front will be at the front and the guys who are normally at the back will be at the back.

"Not much is really going to change and after years of doing it I don't worry too much about pre-season testing and getting involved in scraps for times. I just go out and do what I've got to do, get the bike set-up and do the best I can do to be set up for race one.

"It's just as exciting for me every year and another year riding in the British Championship makes me as excited as I was ten years ago going off to do my first international test in the World Endurance Championship."

Jessopp, 27, endured a painful excursion to Portugal earlier in the year, sustaining bleeding on the brain and breaking his wrist when suffering a huge high side testing a BMW Superstock bike.

Now injury-free, the father-of-one said he and his team would be working tirelessly at Donington Park today and Brands Hatch next week to ensure they are in the best place possible to compete in the BSB opening round next month.

"We want to get this bike competitive," he said. "We have built it from scratch so there is a lot of work involved and there is a lot of work to do between now and race day at Brands Hatch.

"Even in practice and qualifying we are going to be making a lot of changes to the bike, I would imagine. We know we have got a big task ahead, it's all new for me but I am really looking forward to it.

"The team is working hard on the bike now so I am doing all I can to make myself fully fit and ready for it.

"I'm in good shape and laying off the boxing and the motocross for longer has definitely helped."