Rizla Suzuki Qatar test – first day summary

19th March 2010

 
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has completed the first day of a two-day night-time test held under the floodlights at Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

Loris Capirossi recorded a best time of 1’57.100 from his 40 laps of the Losail track to give him 11th place overall. He worked through only a small amount of his scheduled test programme today because, unfortunately for Capirossi and the whole team, he had to finish the session early due to sickness.

Alvaro Bautista (P17, 1’57.960, 56 laps), used the first day to acclimatise himself to riding a MotoGP bike at the 5,380m Qatari track under the strange atmosphere of artificial lighting. He started to find a rhythm with his Rizla Suzuki GSV-R as the test rolled on and is sure he can improve dramatically tomorrow.

The cooler track conditions were exactly what the team wanted this evening, as it gave them a chance to evaluate the steps that have been taken this winter to improve the performance of the GSV-R in changeable conditions.

Rizla Suzuki has one final day at Qatar on Friday, which will then signal the end of pre-season testing for the MotoGP class, before the season begins – also at Qatar – early next month.

Loris Capirossi:

“I think that the bike is a bit better compared to last year’s, but I didn’t make many laps today because I don’t feel so good. This will now make tomorrow very important because we have some big things to try and some other bits to fix. I am really optimistic and think that the new bike is a step in the right direction and we have an opportunity to make an improved performance in the championship.”

Alvaro Bautista:

“The first day here has not had the same feel for me as I had on the last day in Sepang, this is because it is a new track for me on a MotoGP bike with new reference points and I don’t feel 100% yet. The problem I have is in the exit of corners, I can keep a good line and go out through them, but it is difficult to get it right every time and enjoy it. We’ve tried different solutions, but I don’t have a good feeling. We decided to stop a bit early because it has been a long day and my body is not feeling the changes we are making to the bike. Tomorrow we have another day and I hope to be 100% and to enjoy riding the bike and to go much better.”

Qatar Test Day One Classification:

1. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1’55.836: 2. Casey Stoner (Ducati) +0.316: 3. Ben Spies (Yamaha) +0.552: 4. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) +1.139: 5. Randy de Puniet (Honda) +1.185: 11. LORIS CAPIROSSI (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +1.698: 17. ALVARO BAUTISTA (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +2558:
 

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