Two County Antrim brothers are aiming high as they prepare for the new BSB season.

Randalstown pair Eugene McManus Junior and younger sibling James have recently been winter testing in Spain.

They will be competing in different support classes of the British Superbike Championships.

Eugene Junior spent three weeks in Spain testing for the E15 Racing team on the Yamaha R6 he will ride in the British Supersport series in 2019.

He spent three days at the Circuito Monteblanco between Sevilla and Huelva before the team moved across to the other side of the Iberian Peninsula to practice at the Andalucia Circuit in Almeria.

The final part of the winter testing took place at Cartagena where Eugene continued progressing and he and the team feel positive with the start of the season just six weeks away.

“I’ve really enjoyed riding the Yamaha R6 this winter. Despite being very different to the Moto3 I was used to riding I think we have done very well," Eugene Junior said:

"Whilst I’m realistic about my chances in my first year in the British Supersport I feel as prepared as I could be for the coming season and I have a great team of people around me.”

The team consists of the boys' father Eugene McManus, Jeremy Goodall, Michael King, Aodhan Tolan and Jamie Patterson, son of ex-GP rider Alan and family friend of Eugene Senior since the 1980s.

James is also now racing and will turn out for the Kawasaki 109 team in the British Junior Supersport championship for 2019.

Despite his relative inexperience, James’s ability as a rider has grown significantly throughout the winter testing.

"Riding in Spain has been so much fun," James said.

"I feel a lot more comfortable on the bike but I know I still have a lot more to learn. I must thank the Kawasaki 109 team for giving me this opportunity in the British Supersport Junior class.”

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