{"id":1867046,"date":"2026-04-05T10:49:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T07:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1867046"},"modified":"2026-04-05T10:49:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T07:49:16","slug":"max-cook-revels-in-mega-bimota-performance-after-topping-donington-bsb-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1867046","title":{"rendered":"Max Cook revels in \u201cmega\u201d Bimota performance after topping Donington BSB test"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_01510.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Max Cook revels in \u201cmega\u201d Bimota performance after topping Donington BSB test<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Max Cook says he is \u201cblown away\u201d by his experience so far with the Bimota BSB bike.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Alex Whitworth <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-05T11:49:16+01:00\">05 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_01510.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_01510.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_01510.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_01510.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_01510.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_01510.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_01510.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_01510.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_01510.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Max Cook, 2026 Donington Park BSB test. Credit: Ian Hopgood Photography.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Ian Hopgood Photography<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bimota enters BSB this year as the championship\u2019s newest manufacturer with the FS-3 team, and things started well at the first official 2026 test with Max Cook ending the two days fastest overall.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Not only was Cook fastest at the end of the test, but he was fastest by a distance \u2013 almost 0.3 seconds clear of Danny Kent in second on the Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">It was the first time the Bimota KB998 had been in action at an official BSB test, but the bike is familiar to racing by now having competed in World Superbike since the beginning of 2025. Indeed, there are elements of cohesion between the WorldSBK project and the AJN Steelstock Bimota team in BSB that was highlighted at Donington, where former WorldSBK crew chief Marcel Duinker was present as well as factory rider Alex Lowes.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The support as well as the bike impressed Cook, who was able to set his best ever lap time at Donington on the second day of the test despite windy conditions.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt was pretty good, to be fair,\u201d Cook told Crash.net.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe bike\u2019s a mega bike, it does what I want it to do, feels like a race bike.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe full support, we\u2019ve got the entire package \u2013 the guys from World Superbike are here helping us along with it all. So, I\u2019m just really blown away by the whole thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-84f00414df728d78af3828c033d69e6d3901af1cfaaa59e7afff117d3f4fffe1\">  Ryan Vickers makes \u201cbig steps\u201d after \u201ctough\u201d start to Donington BSB test   Donington BSB \u201cnot the easiest\u201d for one former race winner <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think to [set a personal best lap time] at Donington on a windy day like today [Saturday] \u2013 I\u2019m well happy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He added: \u201cEverything that\u2019s new at World Superbike, what they develop and find that\u2019s better, will be coming to us straight away.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, [&#8230;] it\u2019s only going to get better from here.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-49cb78eaae49056a3f1da1ab7eb7a2b8c0da4a5cf03f00f364c4593a9cf6c641\">  Bradley Ray clear about areas to improve for BSB 2026   2026 BSB Donington Park Test Results: Day 2 Lap Times <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Speaking more about the bike itself and its characteristics, Cook said that the chassis is so stiff that you have to push to get any kind of feedback from it, and that it has given him more confidence in braking than the Kawasaki he rode until the end of last season in BSB.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThere\u2019s no complaints from me or the bike,\u201d he said. \u201cIt only works when you\u2019re kind of pushing it as hard as you can, that\u2019s when you start to get feel from it because it is so stiff.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cOverall it is a really nice package.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He added: \u201cMy weakness has been heavy on the brakes, but this bike has allowed me to really pull that front brake lever and get as late as I can on the brakes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cJust a bit of a weak point in that sense, but that\u2019s from my side \u2013 the bike is very good on the brakes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, I\u2019ve ticked a box in that, I\u2019ve improved that, it\u2019s been a target and that\u2019s what I can work on.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">British Superbikes<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Donington Park<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Donington BSB \u201cnot the easiest\u201d for one former race winner<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03126.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03126.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03126.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03126.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03126.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03126.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03126.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03126.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03126.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Ryan Vickers makes \u201cbig steps\u201d after \u201ctough\u201d start to Donington BSB test<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03119.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03119.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03119.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03119.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03119.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03119.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03119.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03119.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_03119.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-db8109c3e7f2de7340b890564522dfdee94c3166f9d7d2e69614cbaf690b3aa0\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Alex Whitworth<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">Journalist<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Alex joined the Crash.net team in August of 2024 having covered consumer and racing motorcycle news at Visordown for two years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-859f16f6f045f9c9db81e98aaf42b4e6fd4052947f28c094d546e8e3ca007447\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> British Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Scottish Superstock rider was \u201ctouch and go\u201d after horror Donington crash<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1764776266\"> 03\/12\/25<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-09\/grigor.png?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Callum Grigor. Credit: Facebook\/Grigor Racing.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> British Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Kyle Ryde gets first triple on \u201cabsolutely amazing\u201d return to Donington Park<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1757271602\"> 07\/09\/25<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-09\/ih_bsb_donington-park_171715-ryde-trophy.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Kyle Ryde, BSB, 2025, Donington Park\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> British Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rory Skinner \u201cfelt good to be leading a race again\u201d on way to third Donington podium.<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1757271358\"> 07\/09\/25<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-09\/ih_bsb_donington-park_168326-skinner-solo.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Rory Skinner, BSB, 2025, Donington Park\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> British Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Scott Redding gives \u201cpayback\u201d to Leon Haslam with last lap move at Donington Park<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1757270626\"> 07\/09\/25<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-09\/ih_bsb_donington-park_171425-redding-ryde-2.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Scott Redding, BSB, 2025, Donington Park\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> British Superbikes  Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>2025 British Superbikes: Donington Park &#8211; Race Results (4)<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1757262340\"> 07\/09\/25<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-09\/ih_bsb_donington-park_167436-ryde-close_0.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Kyle Ryde, BSB, 2025, Donington Park\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> British Superbikes  Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>2025 British Superbikes: Donington Park &#8211; Race Results (3)<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1757252549\"> 07\/09\/25<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-09\/ih_bsb_donington-park_171196-redding-ryde.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Kyle Ryde lines up Scott redding, 2025, BSB, Donington Park\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Max Cook says he is \u201cblown away\u201d by his experience so far with the Bimota BSB bike.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bimota enters BSB this year as the championship\u2019s newest manufacturer with the FS-3 team, and things started well at the first official 2026 test with Max Cook ending the two days fastest overall.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Not only was Cook fastest at the end of the test, but he was fastest by a distance \u2013 almost 0.3 seconds clear of Danny Kent in second on the Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">It was the first time the Bimota KB998 had been in action at an official BSB test, but the bike is familiar to racing by now having competed in World Superbike since the beginning of 2025. Indeed, there are elements of cohesion between the WorldSBK project and the AJN Steelstock Bimota team in BSB that was highlighted at Donington, where former WorldSBK crew chief Marcel Duinker was present as well as factory rider Alex Lowes.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The support as well as the bike impressed Cook, who was able to set his best ever lap time at Donington on the second day of the test despite windy conditions.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt was pretty good, to be fair,\u201d Cook told Crash.net.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe bike\u2019s a mega bike, it does what I want it to do, feels like a race bike.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe full support, we\u2019ve got the entire package \u2013 the guys from World Superbike are here helping us along with it all. So, I\u2019m just really blown away by the whole thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-84f00414df728d78af3828c033d69e6d3901af1cfaaa59e7afff117d3f4fffe1\">  Ryan Vickers makes \u201cbig steps\u201d after \u201ctough\u201d start to Donington BSB test   Donington BSB \u201cnot the easiest\u201d for one former race winner <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think to [set a personal best lap time] at Donington on a windy day like today [Saturday] \u2013 I\u2019m well happy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He added: \u201cEverything that\u2019s new at World Superbike, what they develop and find that\u2019s better, will be coming to us straight away.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, [&#8230;] it\u2019s only going to get better from here.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-49cb78eaae49056a3f1da1ab7eb7a2b8c0da4a5cf03f00f364c4593a9cf6c641\">  Bradley Ray clear about areas to improve for BSB 2026   2026 BSB Donington Park Test Results: Day 2 Lap Times <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Speaking more about the bike itself and its characteristics, Cook said that the chassis is so stiff that you have to push to get any kind of feedback from it, and that it has given him more confidence in braking than the Kawasaki he rode until the end of last season in BSB.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThere\u2019s no complaints from me or the bike,\u201d he said. \u201cIt only works when you\u2019re kind of pushing it as hard as you can, that\u2019s when you start to get feel from it because it is so stiff.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cOverall it is a really nice package.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He added: \u201cMy weakness has been heavy on the brakes, but this bike has allowed me to really pull that front brake lever and get as late as I can on the brakes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cJust a bit of a weak point in that sense, but that\u2019s from my side \u2013 the bike is very good on the brakes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, I\u2019ve ticked a box in that, I\u2019ve improved that, it\u2019s been a target and that\u2019s what I can work on.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bimota enters BSB this year as the championship\u2019s newest manufacturer with the FS-3 team, and things started well at the first official 2026 test with Max Cook ending the two days fastest overall.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Not only was Cook fastest at the end of the test, but he was fastest by a distance \u2013 almost 0.3 seconds clear of Danny Kent in second on the Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">It was the first time the Bimota KB998 had been in action at an official BSB test, but the bike is familiar to racing by now having competed in World Superbike since the beginning of 2025. Indeed, there are elements of cohesion between the WorldSBK project and the AJN Steelstock Bimota team in BSB that was highlighted at Donington, where former WorldSBK crew chief Marcel Duinker was present as well as factory rider Alex Lowes.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The support as well as the bike impressed Cook, who was able to set his best ever lap time at Donington on the second day of the test despite windy conditions.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt was pretty good, to be fair,\u201d Cook told Crash.net.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe bike\u2019s a mega bike, it does what I want it to do, feels like a race bike.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe full support, we\u2019ve got the entire package \u2013 the guys from World Superbike are here helping us along with it all. So, I\u2019m just really blown away by the whole thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-84f00414df728d78af3828c033d69e6d3901af1cfaaa59e7afff117d3f4fffe1\">  Ryan Vickers makes \u201cbig steps\u201d after \u201ctough\u201d start to Donington BSB test   Donington BSB \u201cnot the easiest\u201d for one former race winner <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think to [set a personal best lap time] at Donington on a windy day like today [Saturday] \u2013 I\u2019m well happy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He added: \u201cEverything that\u2019s new at World Superbike, what they develop and find that\u2019s better, will be coming to us straight away.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, [&#8230;] it\u2019s only going to get better from here.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-49cb78eaae49056a3f1da1ab7eb7a2b8c0da4a5cf03f00f364c4593a9cf6c641\">  Bradley Ray clear about areas to improve for BSB 2026   2026 BSB Donington Park Test Results: Day 2 Lap Times <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Speaking more about the bike itself and its characteristics, Cook said that the chassis is so stiff that you have to push to get any kind of feedback from it, and that it has given him more confidence in braking than the Kawasaki he rode until the end of last season in BSB.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThere\u2019s no complaints from me or the bike,\u201d he said. \u201cIt only works when you\u2019re kind of pushing it as hard as you can, that\u2019s when you start to get feel from it because it is so stiff.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cOverall it is a really nice package.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He added: \u201cMy weakness has been heavy on the brakes, but this bike has allowed me to really pull that front brake lever and get as late as I can on the brakes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cJust a bit of a weak point in that sense, but that\u2019s from my side \u2013 the bike is very good on the brakes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cSo, I\u2019ve ticked a box in that, I\u2019ve improved that, it\u2019s been a target and that\u2019s what I can work on.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/bsb\/news\/1092878\/1\/max-cook-revels-mega-bimota-performance-after-topping-donington-bsb-test&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/ih_bsb_donington-test_01510.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Max Cook revels in \u201cmega\u201d Bimota performance after topping Donington BSB test Max Cook says he is \u201cblown away\u201d by his experience so far with the Bimota BSB bike. Alex Whitworth 05 Apr 2026 Share Max Cook, 2026 Donington Park BSB test. Credit: Ian Hopgood Photography. \u00a9\u00a0Ian Hopgood Photography Add as a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1867046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1867046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1867046"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1867046\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1867046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1867046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1867046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}