Honda’s Guy Martin has admitted there has been a lot to learn on his return to road racing but feels he is getting to grips with the new Fireblade in time for the Vauxhall North West 200.

Martin and team-mate John McGuinness completed a lengthy test at Castle Combe to give final setup and tyre evaluations for Dunlop and now the pair have a couple of weeks before they are down to business at Portrush in Northern Ireland.

“Well, we’re learning! At the moment it’s a lot of learning, I definitely learnt more racing at Tandragee than I did testing for six days, but it’s always hard to mimic a road-race in a testing environment. The team likes to test at Castle Combe, which is bumpy, but you don’t know what you’re up against until you get out into a race environment,” said Martin.

“Don’t get me wrong, we need to test and it’s helpful, but nothing compares to racing! It’s good to be back racing, there’s a lot to do for me and also for the new Fireblade, it’s a machine I tell you, but we do have some work to do and I love the challenge of getting it right. When I came back it was to give the roads the best shot on a Honda on Dunlops, so this is what we’re doing.

“We’re all working together and it’s down to me, John and the lads, listening to each other and putting it all together. I am looking forward to the North West 200 and seeing what we can do on the Fireblade out there and also taking the dog for a walk on the beach!”