WALKER CONSISTENTLY FAST AT GAUDIX
 Rizla
Suzuki's Chris Walker ended the team's two-day test at Guadix
happy with his GSX-R1000 and posting more high-speed laps
than anyone else.
In perfect dry, sunny conditions, 'Stalker' completed 92-laps,
uniquely with a large proportion of them in the low 1min 13s
bracket. His quickest lap of 1min 13.10s placed him third
on the day.
Cal Crutchlow suffered his second crash in two days but walked
away unhurt. He totalled 87-laps and his best time of 1min
13.62 sec placed him fifth. Honda's Jonathan Rea recorded
a lap of 1min 12.84 sec to head the timesheets at the 3km
Southern Spain circuit.
Rizla Suzuki now returns to its Crescent Performance Centre
Head Quarters in Verwood, Dorset for further engine and bike
development. It is in action again at Albacete in Spain in
two weeks time for an official Dunlop test that will feature
many of the British Superbike Championship's main protagonists.
Chris Walker:
"It would have been nice to have headed the timesheets
for a second day in a row but we made a conscious decision
to avoid using qualifying tyres and focus on consistency.
That was our plan coming here from Almeria and we weren't
going to be drawn into competing for the outright fastest
lap as that simply would have wasted time and effort.
"I was the only rider putting together long strings
of low 1min 13secs laps and in reality it is that performance
that will matter in 20 or 30-lap races. We have made progress
and I am delighted with the performance of my technicians,
they've made inspired changes to the Rizla Suzuki and kept
everything moving forward."
Cal Crutchlow:
"To say anything other than I am disappointed with my
times would be incorrect. I would have liked to been closer
to Chris and the top of the timesheets; but I must keep reminding
myself this is only my third test on the new Rizla Suzuki
Superbike and to be as near as I am to the more experienced
riders gives me heart.
"I suffered a crash each day. I am perfectly fine with
no injuries and those accidents have given my crew something
to work on for the next test, I want a little more feel when
leaning to the maximum. Overall I am happy with how competitive
I am on race tyres and can't wait to get testing again in
a fortnight."
Simon Buckmaster - Team Manager:
"It's been a hard week of testing on the road for the
riders and the team technicians but they have come through
it with flying colours. The development of the Rizla Suzuki
GSX-R1000 has come on in big steps with both sides of the
garage sharing data, information and ideas.
"Chris reeled off a punishing number of fast laps and
his obvious pleasure and enjoyment in riding the GSX-R1000
is rubbing off on the whole team. Cal was a little behind
on the timesheets but in all our minds is quite a bit ahead
of where we have any right to place a fresh-faced rookie.
On race rubber he was within spitting distance of Chris…
"We tested many variations of Dunlop tyres and front
rim widths on our Marchesini wheels today. Add that to the
Ohlins suspension and engine management data we have collected
and the technicians will be working hard before the next test
to further develop the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000's performance."
Unofficial Lap Times: 1: Jonathan Rea (Honda)
1:12.84, 2: Shane Byrne (Honda) 1:13.05, 3: Chris Walker (Rizla
Suzuki) 1:13.10, 4: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 1:13.23, 5: Cal
Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) 1:13.62, 6: Tom Sykes (Honda) 1:14.00.
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