Positive assessment from Rizla Suzuki

Friday saw the conclusion of the first official MotoGP test of 2010, and Rizla Suzuki team riders Loris Capirossi and Álvaro Bautista were very pleased with what they achieved in the two days in Malaysia.

With a clear aim before the test had even started to make the GSV-R more competitive this season the official Suzuki team tested a range of options on the prototype, which drew positive feedback from both riders. The new engine for 2010 will be available at the next Sepang test in three weeks’ time.

“Today at Sepang has been not too bad for us because we have been trying to really understand the set-up of the bike,” explained Capirossi, who completed 48 laps with a best time of 2’02.763 on Friday. “We tested three different chassis and one worked very well, and also different fuel tanks – we did a great job I think.”

The Italian continued: “We did a lot of testing just to understand what the base bike for 2010 is. The next test here at Sepang is important, because we will receive a new engine from Suzuki and we’ll have 95% of the 2010 bike next time. This will be very interesting.”

Rookie rider Bautista enjoyed the wet conditions which interrupted parts of Friday’s session, and is also already looking forward to the next test.

“I rode in wet conditions and that’s very fun, because you feel a bit of slide exiting each corner and it was nice to feel this sensation,” said the Spanish rider, whose best time of 2’03.274 was an improvement on his Thursday time. “I also tried the new suspension which is very different to the old one, but I must work hard to get a good feeling with this. Overall, I’m very happy with this test and I hope to improve at the next one.”