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The Suzuki racing team has branded Shane Byrne's first superbike test a success.

Piloting the Rizla Suzuki GSXR1000 at Almeria, Southern Spain, former British Superbike champ Byrne described his first weekend in the saddle as "blinding - absolutely mega".

"I am really happy with the progress we made and only wish I was staying on for more riding," explained an excited Byrne.

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The London-born rider has spent the last two years racing in MotoGP and admitted that as the rain came down on the first day of testing the Suzuki superbike posed some challenges: "I was riding the GSX-R1000 like a MotoGP bike and I had to change my riding style slightly," said Byrne.

However, once he adapted his riding the Londoner was not far off the pace and felt that he and the team did some important developmental work on the 2006 machine.

Rizla Suzuki team co-ordinator, Simon Green, echoed Byrne's optimistic sentiments saying: "The test has been positive. Shakey rode well within himself and tested the old and new bikes together. He liked them both and we are certain that the 2006 GSX-R1000 is a faster motorcycle."

Testing will continue for the team back in the UK from January.