Source: Deus Images.

Jed Metcher had a final International Island Classic shakedown on the Scott Owen Racing Developments Katana at a the glorious Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit yesterday.

Metcher was accompanied by his Race Center crew chief Darren Sciberras and team for the shakedown test, as Race Center will run in partnership with Scott Owen Racing Developments for the prestigious event.

The team’s preparations for the event have been interrupted with an unplanned factory move for Scot Owen, however things are now starting to come together. Time on the bike has been limited, but even with just 17 laps on the Katana, Metcher is already feeling comfortable and managed to squeeze out times estimated to be 1m40.0 lap around the 4.445km iconic seaside circuit.

Metcher walked away happy enough, but most importantly, ready for his first hit-out at the third largest motorcycling event on the Australian calendar behind the MotoGP and World Superbikes.

“This test was a really important one, as next time we hit the track on this Katana, it will be for real,” said Metcher. “I’m quite happy with the setup improvements that have been made since last time I rode the bike at Broadford in November.

“Having Darren Sciberras and the Race Center team with me really helps get the setup dialled in quickly as we know each other so well. Scotty has been working really hard developing a more powerful engine on the workbench which should be ready for the event and a big help.”

Yesterday’s test session also marked the first time that the Victorian rider has ridden without three plates and nine screws in his left foot after getting them removed just two weeks ago.

“I felt okay out there,” explained the 2011 FIM European 600 Superstock Champion. “It’s only sore when I get off the bike, but on the bike I am able to put as much pressure on it as needed. To be able to ride at such a fantastic circuit, which is so smooth and flowing, just makes it that little bit easier to cope with an injury.

“I have few more weeks until the Island Classic, so I’ll keep training as hard as I can and I’m sure I will be 100 percent ready to fight come the last weekend of January.”

Metcher has also given his thoughts about what it will mean to race at this iconic event.

“I am really, really looking forward to the Island Classic,” he added. “I have heard so much about the event and I even watched the Island Classic DVD a few weeks ago which has made me even more excited after seeing that there were over 450 bikes at one race event.

“To have the event at one of the best race tracks in the world just makes it an amazing spectacle! I would urge any motorcycle fan, young or old to get down to Phillip Island and check out the event out.”