DANNY Buchan is ready for his first full season in MCE BSB this year riding for the new Be Wiser Kawasaki Team.

The 21-year-old, Burnham-based rider, claimed second place behind Shane Byrne on the timesheets at the official test held at Donington Park, backing up his impressive performances in pre-season testing in Spain.

Buchan dominated the Pirelli National Superstock 1,000 Championship last year, claiming eight wins and three second places from the 12 races, before stepping up into the Superbike class in the new Be Wiser Kawasaki team, managed by 2011 champion Tommy Hill.

He proved he could mix it with the established contenders during pre-season testing in Spain earlier this month, finishing fastest overall on their final day on track.

Buchan was able to carry that momentum forward to the only official UK pre-season test at Donington Park, ensuring he’ll be one to watch this season.

Worryingly for his rivals, he admits there’s even more to come before next weekend’s opening round.

Buchan said: “We were out there chipping away and the times were coming really easy, it wasn’t strenuous at all.

“I wouldn’t say it was a surprise finishing second as the package we have with the Be Wiser Kawasaki is more than capable of running at the front.

“I spoke to my crew chief at the end of the day and the bike is still far from perfect and there is so much more still to come.

“To come away second behind the championship leader is a good start and I have a great team behind me so we are really excited to see what we can do next weekend.”

Hill added: “It’s been a good start but we obviously want to keep moving forward.

“What we need to remember is that we are a new team and we can't forget that.

“We started with a blank sheet of paper and I am really happy and getting such a buzz from working with the team to keep improving.

“I do see in Danny a bit of what I could see in myself when I first started, where you want to ride and do the best you can straight away when you get into the Superbike class.

“But that is where I am taking my competitiveness and driving it back into the team and making it all work for the riders. We had a few little niggling problems on Chris (Walker’s) side of the garage yesterday, but ‘Old but Gold’ will be back next weekend that’s for sure.

“Now we have to get ready for the first round and work hard together as a team to achieve the best results possible.”

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, official test, Donington Park: 1 Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 1m 31.145, 2 Danny Buchan (Be Wiser Kawasaki) +0.222s, 3 Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +0230s, 4 Jakub Smrz (Lloyds British Ducati) +0.243s, 5 Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +0.284s, 6 James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.303s, 7 Stuart Easton (PBM Kawasaki) +0.318s, 8 Richard Cooper (Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki) +0.380s, 9 Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.680s, 10 Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) +0.890s.