Gresini Team decides to stick with Showa suspension after Sepang test

Another day of seasonably mixed weather at Sepang made for another difficult day of testing for Team Go & Fun Honda Gresini and Alvaro Bautista, who worked intensively between rain showers this morning and this afternoon at the Malaysian track.

Over the three days here Alvaro has been able to rack up a total of 110 laps and put Showa’s latest suspension updates through a rigorous examination in both wet and dry conditions.

Lap times were not the most important objective here for Team Go & Fun Honda Gresini or for Bautista, who needed to decide whether or not to continue with Showa in 2013. At the end of the test today the decision was taken to maintain this important technical partnership.

Alvaro Bautista “We have done a lot of work over the past three days despite the bizarre weather, which only relented for a day, and the less than perfect track conditions. I have completed 110 laps altogether and now we have a clearer idea of the direction we need to take in the first preseason tests of 2013. I am satisfied and feel I am heading home safe in the knowledge that next season promises some good results for our team.”

Fausto Gresini “It is unusual for us to test here in November, but it was crucial for us to understand many things and make the right choices ahead of what will be an important season for us and for Alvaro. What we have learned here is that Showa are working in the right direction and can offer us the support that we need. The job we have done together over three days here has been positive and at the end of it we have taken the decision to continue our technical collaboration with Showa in 2013. I am happy and satisfied with this choice and also grateful for the support that HRC continues to give us. I am convinced that next season we will have a very competitive motorcycle.”

Source: Gresini Racing Press Release