Gresini makes Showa MotoGP decision
Honda Gresini have decided to continue with Showa suspension for next year's MotoGP World Championship, following this week's private Honda test at Sepang in Malaysia.
Alvaro Bautista completed a total of 110 laps during the three days, putting Showa's latest updates through a rigorous examination in both wet and dry conditions with his RC213V.
At the end of the test, which saw Bautista set a best time 0.6s slower than Repsol Honda rookie Marc Marquez, the decision was taken to stick with Showa.
That came as something of a surprise, with Bautista indicating he was less than impressed after day two.
"We tested different suspensions but we didn't find any better settings than yesterday," MotoGP.com quoted Bautista as saying.
"We have to speak with HRC and together we have to take a decision [about which suspension to use next year].
"This is not easy, as I'm here to try and improve the Showa suspension by request from HRC, but after two busy days of work we didn't find big improvements, so we have to talk to HRC and take a decision together."
The other factory-built MotoGP machines use Ohlins suspension, which supplies over 90% of the MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 grids. Gresini switched back to Showa for the start of 2012.
"What we have learned here is that Showa are working in the right direction and can offer us the support that we need," insisted team principal Fausto Gresini at the close of the Sepang test.
"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."
No mention was made of suspension choice for Gresini's Moto2 and Moto3 teams.
At the end of testing Bautista, who took his first two MotoGP podiums in 2012 and a best yet fifth in the world championship, made no direct reference to the suspension decision.
"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," said the Spaniard.
"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."
Bautista, who will be paired with Gresini's new rookie CRT rider Bryan Staring next year, will be back on track for the first official test of 2013 at Sepang in early February.
