Max Cook fastest in opening session at first BSB test of year on bimota at Donington Park as Eugene McManus and Rhys Irwin continue Superbike transition
Max Cook topped the times in the opening session at the first British Superbike test of 2026 at Donington Park as series rookies Eugene McManus and Rhys Irwin continued to get to grips with their new MasterMac Honda machines.
Cook, riding the all-new AJN Steelstock bimota, was 0.061s ahead of former two-time BSB champion Josh Brookes (DAO Racing Honda) after setting his best lap in 1:28.542s.
Ryan Vickers (Honda Racing UK) was third fastest, only 0.056s adrift of Brookes.
Danny Kent (Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha) and Bradley ray (McAMS Yamaha) were next, with reigning champion Kyle Ryde completing the top six.
Nitrous Competitions Racing rider Ryde is riding his Ducati V4R training bike at the test. His team-mate, Ulsterman Glenn Irwin, is not in action at Donington as the team awaits the arrival of their 2026 V4R race bikes. Ryde was 0.587s down on Cook’s time.
PBM Ducati’s Scott Redding is also not competing at Donington for the same reason.
Ireland’s Richard Kerr, riding for new team SM Racing on a Honda, was 13th fastest ahead of Andrew Irwin, who is riding a Ducati for new team MET fonaCAB Racing.
McManus was 17th in the first test on the MasterMac Honda while team-mate and reigning British Supersport champion Irwin was 21st quickest.