19/03/2010
Team Suzuki Press Office - March 19.
Hey, I'm back in BSB. Older and supposedly wiser, only by the feel of my ribs I'm not so sure about the wiser. It's great to back with the Crescent Suzuki team, though, and to still be riding the GSX-R1000 is terrific.
So much of my career has been about this bike; it's like a member of my family. The testing has been... testing. Certainly it's given plenty of opportunity to test anti-fog and rain visors! I think we all looked forward to getting to Spain for some sun and riding. Problem was it was so cold there. We were trying to get some race-type riding in - but with track temperatures that were barely above freezing. It was always a bit of recipe for disaster and I kind of groaned when of all people to fall victim to it, it was me. There I was in this fast left and I got that familiar but always unpleasant feeling of 'ping' as I was shot out of the saddle as I high-sided. I cracked a rib and felt lucky for that, but as importantly the bike came away okay, too. So it was great for me to get the fastest lap of the test just the next day.
To be able to say 'hey, I'm back' like that - I'm very happy. There's still much work to do with set-up but I still feel very confident with the bike and the team. It's going to be amazing to be on the BSB grid again, to meet the British fans. The pit walks always amaze me. So many happy people - so many autographs! Yes, BSB is like a family too. Anyway, see you soon.