SWINDON teenager Max Cook has completed his first laps on a full-blown race bike during a four-day test in Spain ahead of the 2016 HEL Motostar Championship.

The 13-year-old is preparing for his debut season at the level and wasted no time in getting up to speed with the new Dunlop Moto3 racing tyres, quick-shifter and telemetry.

The test at Circuito Cartagena was also Cook’s first opportunity to link up with teammate TJ Toms and the rest of his new Repli-Cast UK Racing team.

Cook said: “I absolutely loved it, I got on so well with the bike. This year will be a really really big one for me, I will be the youngest in the series to be competing.

“It’s a little bit daunting because of the crowds and it’s on live TV. It’s a little bit more pressure riding with a lot of older kids from other countries, it’ll be a lot bigger than what I am used to.

“There’s a bit of pressure on me but I try and let that go and just enjoy it. There’s not many targets but there’s something I would be happy with; I think the aim for me is a top ten finish.”

The Isambard School pupil, who won the Aprilia Superteen Championship last year, was quickly into his stride at the four-day test, recording the lap-time target set by his team manager on day one.

His times continued to tumble over the following days as he improved his riding style and became more confident and relaxed on the bike.

“You have to take each round step by step,” Cook said.

“There’s no expectation, I don’t know how the competition is going to be. I have to try my best and see where I finish, a top ten finish would be awesome.”

Gary Dawson, team principal, said he was pleased to see the times fall as both his riders learnt the principles of the track.

“It’s great to get out as a team to blow the cobwebs off and give us all a chance to welcome the three new members,” he said.

“The last day of testing, all three riders (Cook, Toms and Storm Stacey) shocked the whole team with the times they were producing which outweighed all expectations.”

Cook’s first race of the new season will be at Silverstone on April 9-10.