Buildbase BMW’s newest recruit, Richard Cooper spent the MCE British Superbike free practice sessions getting accustomed to riding a BMW once again, after parting ways with the Anvil Hire TAG Racing Kawasaki team a few weeks ago. Now he’s quite ‘surprised’ with just how well he has adapted to riding the S1000RR at Cadwell Park.
It is the first time in two years that Cooper has ridden around the Lincolnshire track, as he had to miss last year’s round due to injury. In Thruxton he was on the ZX-10R and now he is challenging for a Showdown spot on the Buildbase machine with his new team.
He had a successful test at Mallory this week, and after a solid free practice one and two he is feeling confident that he can be up the sharp end during the qualifying sessions on Saturday afternoon too.
“The bike felt good to be fair and I had a test on Tuesday, but nothing quite compares you for Cadwell Park. I missed it last year due to injury and the last time I rode around here was on a 600,” said Cooper, speaking to bikesportnews.com from the track.
“The bike felt fast and I surprised myself as we went well, and I was P11 (in free practice one) and to work with Kiyo and Lee is great and I will use their experience as much as possible.
“We had a big debrief today and there is no pressure on me and the team said get yourself comfortable and go out there - which is important, and I am confident that in qualifying that we will be in the mix for sure.”
