FIXI Crescent Suzuki World Superbike team completed day one of two days of private testing at the Almeria circuit in Spain with Leon Camier and Jules Cluzel working on updated electronics, improved aerodynamics and a new-spec engine for 2013.
For WSBK rookie Cluzel is was his first taste of the Suzuki GSX-R and he quickly adapted to the more powerful machine, even if lap times were not released.
Leon Camier said, “It has been a good day and we got through a lot of work and checked most things out – which is the major part of these shakedown tests.
I used the hard tyres for most of the day, as we weren’t trying for fast times, but just making sure that everything on the bike was where I remembered it should be! We still have a lot to do tomorrow and will continue in the same way as we have today.
I’ll have the new-spec 2013 engine to use tomorrow, so I am looking forward to that – if the track feeling is as good as the dyno data it will be a good step.
” “It was fantastic to be able to ride the FIXI Crescent Suzuki GSX-R for the first time!” commented the French rider.
“It was a big difference from my last bike and it has so much power compared to the weight, so I have to alter my riding style because everything is happening much faster! The bike also enters the corners much quicker, but it feels good and I’m enjoying it.
I am also having to learn how the tyres, electronics and the chassis work and just understand what’s happening.
I used only the hardest compound tyres today as I need time to learn, but my lap-times were not too bad and I was happy for the first day on a completely new bike on a new track.
I’m really looking forward to tomorrow and I’m sure as I get more experience I will be able to go faster.
” After finishing tomorrow, FIXI Crescent Suzuki will pack up and head to Jerez for another two-day test next week and they will find Ducati’s MotoGP test team who will be there starting Sunday.
Alstare Ducati will also be present with Carlos Checa, while Althea Aprilia was supposed to share the Almeria track with Fixi Crescent Suzuki and Kawasaki, but they opted to test at Jerez with the other teams.