Team Suzuki ECSTAR had mixed fortunes on the final day of the last winter test at Losail International Circuit. Nevertheless, overall it has been a positive three days for the Suzuki MotoGP team, with the opportunity for the team to adjust and define settings and work on race setup for the first Grand Prix of the year in ten days’ time.
Alex Rins kept the crucial consistency which he has shown throughout the winter, and after trying a race simulation he completed the day in 7th place, +0.621 from the top of the timesheet. His overall feeling was very positive.
Unfortunately Andrea Iannone could not take to the track due to sickness. The symptoms began to set in overnight on Friday and his condition worsened, especially with the addition of a fever. This made it impossible for him to ride. He was finally given the diagnosis of gastroenteritis with fever, which means he will need some time to recover.
At the end of the session the track was flooded by the organisers in order for the riders to check the conditions should rain strike Qatar during the race weekend, it was compulsory for the riders to check the feel of the tyres and the glare of the wet track under the lights. With Andrea Iannone unable to ride, this task was undertaken by Alex Rins.
Ken Kawauchi
Technical Manager
“Overall it was a good test, except for the fact that Andrea was sick today and had to cancel his track time. But on the second day he did a race simulation and he could get some important information to prepare for the race. Alex did all three days of testing so we were able to define his settings for the race. I am confident that we have prepared well for the first race.”
Davide Brivio
Team Manager
“We have finished our testing. Today was good and bad; bad because unfortunately Andrea couldn’t ride due to his sickness, so that was a pity. But it’s OK, we’ll just have to finalise things with him during the race weekend. And Alex ended these winter tests with a long run and good pace, so I think we are ready for the GP weekend. Everybody wants to get to the race now, we’re all tired of testing, and we want to know the answers to our questions!”
Alex Rins
“I think the three days riding here have been very good, and it’s been a very positive test because we tried many things and we confirmed all these things. We also tried a race simulation and the race pace was quite good, so I’m really excited to start this new season with a lot of confidence, and I think that we have a great package.”
Andrea Iannone
“I’m disappointed I couldn’t ride today, but I was feeling very bad. I tried but it was impossible to go out on track. I felt very sick and weak. Anyway, the progress we’ve done in this last test leaves me quite satisfied, we had two positive days and we have a good base. We missed out on the fine tuning work we were supposed to do today, but we will work hard in free practice before the race to recover the tasks we lost. Apart from my sickness, my feeling is good with the bike and the team.”
