Rizla Suzuki’s Álvaro Bautista started the first test of 2011 in a positive style as he posted the sixth fastest time of the day in Malaysia.

Bautista (P6, 2’02.422, 65 laps) began the day by getting his feel and rhythm back on the Suzuki GSV-R, after the winter long test ban. He was soon on the pace and quickly got into the intense test schedule that the team has planned for the three-day test.

The Spaniard was able to run Suzuki’s latest specification engine, as well as a new chassis and some back-to-back runs on the 2011 Ohlins front forks. The team was able to complete a full day of testing, as the usual afternoon rain that is regularly experienced at Sepang never materialised. Honda’s Casey Stoner recorded the fastest time of the day.

Rizla Suzuki will be back on track tomorrow and Thursday for the remainder of this three-day test, with a comprehensive range of new and updated parts still to be evaluated.

Álvaro Bautista:
“Well, it’s been a long time since Valencia and on my first laps I thought Suzuki made a mistake and fitted a 1000cc engine in the bike, it feels so fast after a long break! But, after some easy laps, I began to get my rhythm and to ride comfortably. We did some interesting testing, but to be honest the main thing today was just for me to get back to a normal level, and in the end the bike felt nice and we went quite quick, so I’m happy. I hope the weather stays dry, we have a big list of stuff to test and I know the guys will be working late tonight to prepare everything for tomorrow – thanks to them and I am looking forward to continuing our work.”

MotoGP Official Test Sepang Day One:
1. Casey Stoner (Honda) 2’01.574: 2. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) +0.403: 3. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) +0.450: 4. Marco Simoncelli (Honda) +0.721:5. Ben Spies (Yamaha) +0.758: 6. ÁLVARO BAUTISTA (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +0.848:

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