After a long wait, a test in Jerez in March and then another at Silverstone in July, the time has come for the Honda British Talent Cup to go into battle. Donington Park (National) hosts the season opener and the Honda BTC will kick off this weekend as a new era on the Road to MotoGP™ begins.
In testing, it’s been Casey O’Gorman in charge. The Microlise Cresswell Racing reigned the top of the timesheets in Jerez and at Silverstone, and he must surely start the season with a target on his back. Racing, though, is a different beast to testing.
Charlie Farrer (Victoria House Academy/Mortimer Racing) was second quickest at Silverstone and he showed some good form in the previous era of the Cup too, so he’s one to keep an eye on.
Eddie O'Shea, Corey Tinker (GR Motosport), Bailey Stuart Campbell (151S S-C Racing), Evan Belford (Fab Racing) and Harvey Claridge (Nova/SP125 Racing) are other key names who have shuffled around inside the top ten as well, and could likely prove the riders battling it out for the podium.
A little further back, the timesheets at the Silverstone test were incredibly tight, and Donington will see if they hold true. For many in the new era of the Honda BTC the first focus will be experience and improvement – but it looks like there may be some tight fights throughout the field.
James Cook (Wilson Racing) headed up a huge group of riders all split by gaps of a tenth or less in the test, ahead of Harrison Crosby (Banks Racing) and Ryan Hitchcock (Rdh Racing), so it will be no mean feat to get into that coveted top ten.