Suzuki MotoGP Team Make Progress In Final European Test At Mugello

A week on from the Suzuki MotoGP  test at the Misano circuit, and the team has wrapped up its final test of the season at Mugello. Here, team riders Randy DePuniet and Nobu Aoki tested a new cowling, an updated chassis, as well as further revisions to the electronics package.

The new cowling was reported to give a better top-speed performance without any negative effects under different circuit conditions, so it was an improvement and step-forward from the team’s initial test of it in Misano. Back-to-back tests with Misano and Mugello also provided more positive data that the machine has improved its braking and corner-entry characteristics; plus the team also found new direction in finding better rear-grip; an area that the Suzuki MotoGP Test Team will look at further-developing during the next few months – and into 2014.

With track temperatures dry on both days – and ranging between 68-97 degrees Fahrenheit – De Puniet put in 67 laps on the opening day and Aoki 10. De Puniet’s best lap was a 1:50.080 on Tuesday and today he improved his best-time to 1:49.260 after a total of 53 laps of the 3.3-mile circuit. For reference, Marc Marquez set the fastest time of the race earlier this year at 1:47.639, a new race lap record.

The team will now take the information back to Japan where it will further refine its MotoGP contender for its 2015 racing debut.