Glen Richards will defend the British Supersport title in 2013. Image: Double Red/BSB.

The reigning Motorpoint British Supersport Championship team, Smiths (Gloucester) Racing Triumph have completed their final Spanish test at Cartagena as Glen Richards and Billy McConnell continued their development of the new Triumph 675.

The team headed to Cartagena following an initial shakedown last week at Calafat with the Australian pairing making further progress, sharing the track with some of their title rivals, ahead of the season opener at Brands Hatch on 5-7 April.

“I really feel like I’ve blown the cobwebs out after our time in Spain and I’m happy with the new bike,” Richards said.

“I am looking forward to getting the bike back to the workshop now for some fettling ready for the start of the season and I need to say a big thanks to my team and crew for making the test happen.”

Fellow South Australian McConnell was also satisfied with the tests in Spain.

“It has been a very good test,” he said. “We’ve got the bike feeling good and we have also been working with K-Tech on the suspension and we have got some good ideas.

“Tim Seed has been working hard on the electronics to make the bike feel even better. It has been a very positive few days and I feel really at home on my new 675 Triumph – what a bike!”

Smiths Triumph team coordinator, Rebecca Smith, is enjoying the challenge to commence 2013.

“To have another four days on the new bike has really allowed Glen and Billy to settle and the season ahead is looking even more positive,” Smith added.

“There is still a long way for us to go in terms of development, but with the help of Tim Seed we’ve already moved things on massively since our test at Calafat last week.

“The challenge of developing the new Triumph is keeping us all focused and we are all looking forward to the first round at Brands Hatch.”