12/02/2010
Team Suzuki Press Office - February 12.
Having just returned from the first 2010 test in Sepang, going from 35 degree temperatures and high humidity to zero temperatures in the UK, we've now had a chance to reflect where we are at, although time is short to make any major changes for the second Sepang test in a couple of weeks.
Results wise, 2009 was a disappointment as far as team and riders expectations were concerned but Suzuki's senior management has shown that the company is strongly committed to MotoGP and still sees it is a very important ground for development of Suzuki new technologies in the future.
The race department has been working very hard and has made great steps to improve the machine and this was obvious from the opening test. We had two new chassis' to test, amongst many other things, and with the help of Suzuki development rider Nobuatsu Aoki, we have now chosen one of these for at least the start of the 2010 season. This chassis appears to have much better initial performance (when the tyres are cold) and also better feedback in the wet, so hopefully this will help our performance in colder conditions. The next test sees the introduction of the full specification 2010 engine and we hope that will help us as well. Suzuki is up against it with the 6 engine per season rule, as are all the factories, but our focus is getting the right balance of performance and durability. Come the third race or so, we'll see who's done it the best!
Regarding the riders, Loris is showing the same enthusiasm as ever; the track opened at 9am in Sepang and he was on the circuit at 9.01am on both days. His enthusiasm, determination and fitness levels are extremely high and we hope we can give him the equipment to perform at the level that we know he can.
Alvaro is a breath of fresh air to the team and his performance in Sepang was comparable to most of the other "Rookies". I think over the course of the test he made a big step forward. He's a big attraction for Suzuki in that he's a racer who shows a lot of fight (much like Loris). We've seen it so many times when he was in the 250s that he can come back from setbacks and struggling in practice and qualifying and come race day, he's a different guy.
As far as predictions for the season goes, all I can say that everyone involved is working really hard to achieve their goals and we will be doing all we can to get in amongst the fight for the podium.