Source: Supplied.

Former Moto2 world champion Stefan Bradl has made his first laps aboard the Honda World Superbike Team CBR1000RR that he will race in 2017 during day one of pre-season testing at MotorLand Aragon.

The German longtime MotoGP regular joined teammate Nicky Hayden on this year’s bike for his initial shakedown, with the all-new 2017 model not due to arrive until January.

“Everything was very well organised, we just made a shakedown with the bike it was pretty cool in the beginning, but overall everything was like normal,” explained Bradl. “My expectations were that the [Pirelli] tyres were going to be different and the bike is obviously different, so I had to adapt and basically the differences are clear and I can feel them.

“There’s just a little bit more movement in the bike and there is a lot of different parts like steel brakes to adapt to and basically overall, I feel like I’m already at home. Still, there are a lot of things I need to learn, but my first impressions were positive.

“There are a lot of things that we still need to work on, it was only the first day and we can be happy because everything went to plan. But like I said there is still a lot I need to learn, I still need to adapt my riding style this bike that requires a different riding style so overall I need to adapt to the steel disc and to all the things that are new for me. This will come step by step. We made 60 laps today I think that’s not too bad and looking forward to tomorrow.”

Bradl replaces Michael van der Mark on the factory Honda team for next year, the former World Supersport title winner making his debut aboard the Pata Yamaha on Wednesday. He completed a total of 70 laps on day one.