Electronics work for Granado on WorldSBK return at Jerez test, "waiting for the upgrade of the bike for next year"
The Brazilian rider returned to WorldSBK action at the Jerez test and completed work on the electronics despite rainy conditions
Brazilian rider Eric Granado (MIE Racing Honda Team) returned to MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship action at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto as he prepares for his first full season in the Championship. After making a one-off appearance with the team in 2020, Granado will compete for the satellite Honda team in a full campaign in 2023 and, despite wet conditions in the south of Spain, completed two days of testing as he adjusted to the CBR1000RR-R machine.
Despite the rain and wet conditions impacting his two days of testing, which was planned by the team, Granado was still able to hit the track as he prepares for his first full season of WorldSBK action. The Brazilian rider will partner Hafizh Syahrin at the team in 2023 and he started his adaptation to the Honda bike with testing at Jerez, working on the electronics as well as giving Granado time to adjust to the bike and get to know the team despite the tricky conditions.
Discussing his test, Granado said: “It’s very nice to be back. I’m so happy with the opportunity that MIE Racing Honda have given me. We have been working on this with Honda for many years, so it was good to be back on the bike. Unfortunately, it was very bad weather, and I didn’t have so many laps and no laps in the dry. It was just in wet conditions. It was good to know the team and all the people that will work with me and get used to the new bike. It’s very different to what I’m using in the past years; I was on a stock bike. The Superbike is very different. It was good and I’m really looking forward to the next test.
“We were working especially on the electronics. They’re new for me. The elections for WorldSBK are very different to the stock spec so I need to get into it; the traction control that works differently compared to what I’m using. I also tested some new things to help me on the rear part of the bike, to have more grip in the wet conditions. It was also for me to get used to the bike and to work with the team.”
Despite the test at Jerez going on for three days, Granado’s test concluded after two which was always in the team’s planning. Looking ahead to tests in the future, Granado explained how the team will receive some upgrades to the bike for next year as they look to make progress compared to 2022, when they scored 13 points in total. Granado said: “We just had two days. This was the plan for the team, we were planning on doing just two days. We now wait for the new upgrade of the bike for next year that will, for sure, be better and more competitive.”
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