Continuing to work and develop the 2017 Honda Fireblade 1000RR SP2 machines, Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) and Nicky Hayden (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) head to Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola with a big challenge ahead. However with the promising of racing under Italian skies, the pair are keen to get out on track.

For German Stefan Bradl it will be his first time riding around the historic circuit, and with the technical issues he came across last time out at TT Circuit Assen it will be a challenge for him to make that all important step. Despite this, the 27 year old had a strong weekend in Round Four of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and hopes to work through the weekend to secure a solid set-up.

“I’m looking forward to Italy,” explains Bradl. “The weather there is usually nice and warm, so I hope it will be the same this weekend. I have never ridden there so I have no knowledge of the track, which is going to be a challenge because I’ve heard it’s quite a technical one, with some blind corners and plenty of elevation changes. It won’t be easy to find the perfect line straight away but I’ll do my best to learn the circuit as quickly as possible and then build up from there.”

Mirroring the positive Italian feeling is Nicky Hayden (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team), who is keen to experience the atmosphere from the passionate fans. Hoping to show the potential of his Honda machine, the 2006 MotoGP™ World Champion is looking for a confidence boost at the circuit he took two top nine position finishes on his debut appearance last season.

Hayden adds: “I always enjoy racing in Italy: the fans always provide a great atmosphere! After Assen we’re looking forward to trying to get a good result at Imola and show the potential of our bike, which will be a great confidence boost for us. It won’t be easy, but we will do our very best!”

Italian fans will be cheering on the duo from Friday morning, as free practise gets underway at 9.45LT (GMT +2) and all eyes will be on the WorldSBK drama. Keep up with all on track action with the WorldSBK VideoPass, found here.