SWINDON speedster Max Cook is convinced he is in a good place ahead of the start of the new season after a series of testing sessions in Valencia.

The 14-year-old, the Hel Performance Motostar British Standard Class champion last season, has been selected to ride for the British Talent Cup and the Red Bull Rookies Cup this year, both recognised pathways to the MotoGP series.

Cook will be riding at seven MotoGP rounds while in the British Talent Cup, he will take part in six rounds at a mixture of British Superbike, World Superbike and MotoGP rounds.

Returning to the Ricardo Torno Circuit where he rode for Wilson Racing in the European Talent Cup last November, Cook completed three days of testing in Spain.

The British Talent Cup selects 22 of the best young riders in the country and puts them all on identical bikes, which are standard Honda Moto3 but have been upgraded with factory suspension, brakes and exhaust system.  

Cook said: “My two weeks in Spain has been great. I’ve mostly ridden my Supermoto in Aragon and Finestrat, but the highlight was riding Moto3 at Valencia.

“Going to the test I was really excited, as I would be working directly with Dorna, their mechanics and riding their bikes, but I had no idea what to expect. The bikes, kit, set-up and structure was spot on and it felt really professional.

“I’ve not ridden with the Showa factory suspension before but it felt good straight away and I think a few more laps at round one and set-up will be there.

“I’m also really happy with the team around me and I can’t wait for the 1st round at Donington in two weeks.’’