Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki Launch 2015 Campaign

The Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki team kicked off their 2015 British Superbike Championship campaign with their opening test at Jerez in Spain last week as Richard Cooper, Filip Backlund and Shaun Winfield prepare for the official test at Donington Park (26 March).

The trio headed to Spain for their opening test with Cooper returning to the track after his injury from last season alongside Winfield, whilst Backlund made his debut with the team.

Cooper said: "It's been good to get back on the Anvil Hire Tag Kawasaki Superbike after breaking my arm last August. The work that the team have done since I last rode the bike was instantly noticeable from the very first session. The bike has improved in all the areas that we were previously struggling and this has allowed me to concentrate on riding the Superbike to its full potential.

"Over the three days in Jerez we have worked through a lot of different settings to get the feeling I wanted and to get comfortable on the bike again. It's been good to be working with all the team and also working my new team mate Filip. I'm confident that we can both be strong right from the very first round at Donington Park."

Backlund said: "It has been a great three days of testing at Jerez. It was my first time on the bike and I felt very confident and comfortable as well straight away.  We tried a lot of different things, more to see what happen with the bike and for me to understand. In the end we found some good and strong information so it feels good to fly back home with that in the back of my head ready for the official test at Donington Park. I want to say a big thanks to the whole team who made these days so good."

Winfield added: "I went into the three-day test not knowing how many sessions I would be able to do as I had only recently had surgery to help with my arm pump. My arms felt good from the first session though and I didn't suffer with it over the three days. We worked well as a team, having debriefs with the mechanics and talking to the other riders helped me a lot. I am really looking forward to getting back out on my bike at the Donington test."

Team owner Rob Winfield commented: "This test has been very beneficial to our team as the bikes have changed a lot from last season. All the riders have been putting in consecutive impressive lap times throughout the three days. It has also been good for our new rider Filip to have a chance to get with his crew chief and the other members of the team as well as sharing data with Richard and Shaun to help improve each other's bike and lap time. We now look forward to Donington for the official test and moving forward with bike developments."