Starting today, March 18, 2022, the official IDM spring test is taking place in Valencia, Spain. Heavy rain, wind, and single-digit temperatures are throwing a wrench into some of the riders’ plans. Ahead of the season opener from May 6 to 8, Luca Grünwald still has a considerable to-do list to work through on the Honda CBR 1000 RR-R.
“The track was completely wet until noon today,” the 27-year-old Bavarian shrugs, referring to riding on the first of three practice days. “We did have dry conditions in the afternoon, but it was still very cold and windy out there—really unpleasant.” Grünwald still managed to get his laps in and says: “Everything’s going well for us here at Holzhauer Racing Promotion. We have to test a lot of things with the electronics, the suspension, and the bike’s geometry. It’s a shame, though, that we couldn’t make any major comparisons in this weather, especially when it comes to the competition. That would have been the plan.”
After Supersport the IDM Supersport championship on a Kawasaki in 2020 and racing a BMW Superbike for the Kiefer Racing Team a year later, Grünwald has now joined Honda. “I’m happy with the switch,” he reveals, “I just have to dig in and take it step by step.” The Waldkraiburg native believes the Honda is capable of more than recent results have shown. “There are so many settings to adjust. If you get lost in the process, it’s difficult for both the rider and the team. But I don’t plan on that happening.”
Grünwald posted the fourth-fastest time today at the Circuit Valencia Ricardo Tormo, behind leader Florian Alt (Wilbers-BMW), Markus Reiterberger (BCC-alpha-Van Zon-Racing Team, BMW), and Philipp Steinmayr (Eder-Racing, Yamaha). “We weren’t that far off,” says Grünwald, adding with a smile, “and we still have a few tricks up our sleeve.”