Hodgson delighted with Cooper's progress in Spain

Cal Cooper (left) and Tom Carne are riding for RCD Mortosport this season

RCD Motorsport team boss Mark Hodgson says he is delighted with the progress of Manx teenager Callan Cooper, after four days of testing in southern Spain.

The 14-year-old was in Cartagena with new team-mate Tom Carne, preparing for the opening round of the British 125 GP Championship at Brands Hatch in April.

Hodgson said: "I was really pleased with Callan's work ethic, his lap times were constantly coming down."

The British 125GP Championship runs alongside the British Superbike Series.

Former World Superbike champion Neil Hodgson is mentoring both riders

Hodgson continued: "Neither of the lads crashed or smashed up their bikes and we came away from the test in the best possible position.

"I think most of the teams would have swapped places with us to be in that same position.

"The team gelled over the course of the test and we all bonded just as I'd hoped."

World Superbike champion Neil Hodgson, who retired earlier this year, will work alongside his father Mark on the long-term project.

Now an Isle of Man resident, Neil started in 1982 as a schoolboy motocross rider and won the British National 125cc Championship aged just 18.

Cooper said he is learning from the very best and is looking forward to the season ahead.

"I was consistently improving my lap time throughout the four sessions and we made a lot of progress with the bike," he said. "To be receiving advise from Neil and Mark is absolutely brilliant."