The two-day test that concluded today at the Motorland Aragón circuit in Spain marked a return to the tracks for the MIE Racing Althea Honda Team following the long break imposed by the pandemic.

The team’s rider Takumi Takahashi, who is taking part in his first complete WorldSBK season this year, was on track for the first time since undergoing surgery to treat an injury to his left knee, sustained in a crash during a Suzuka 8 Hours test in Japan in late March.

For both team and rider, the test provided an opportunity to resume work in the garage and regain confidence aboard the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. Together, they worked to fine tune the bike ahead of the double-header set to take place at this very track between the end of August and early September and, of course, in preparation for round two of the championship, scheduled to run from 31 July to 2 August at Jerez de la Frontera, and where Takahashi will be joined by Lorenzo Gabellini.

Private: Takumi Takahashi 13

“We have worked a lot on the bike over these two days and tried many things in terms of set-up. I’m really happy that my knee didn’t give me problems at all. After the operation, I did a lot of rehab and gym work and everything is good in that respect. As for the bike set-up, I’ve not yet found the feeling I’m looking for. We have a lot of work ahead of us, because right now I don’t feel that I can push as I would like. We’ll keep working until we’ll get there.”