FIXI Crescent Suzuki kick-started its 2013 eni FIM Superbike World Championship season by completing the first day of testing at the Almeria circuit in Spain on Thursday.
Leon Camier and new signing Jules Cluzel worked on a thorough testing schedule that will encompass updated electronics, improved aerodynamics and a new-spec engine for 2013, during the two days in Spain. Both riders completed many laps on Thursday and the Yoshimura-powered Suzuki GSX-R performed faultlessly.
Cluzel was making his first appearance for the FIXI Crescent Suzuki team and his debut on a fully-fledged Superbike. The Frenchman looked comfortable from the start and adapted to the new bike quickly. He was pleased to get the first day under-his-belt and is looking forward to improving on Friday.
“It was fantastic to be able to ride the FIXI Crescent Suzuki GSX-R for the first time,” Cluzel said. “It was a big difference from my last bike and it has so much power compared to the weight, so I have to alter my riding style because everything is happening much faster. The bike also enters the corners much quicker, but it feels good and I’m enjoying it.
“I am also having to learn how the tires, electronics and the chassis work and just understand what’s happening. I used only the hardest compound tires today as I need time to learn, but my lap-times were not too bad and I was happy for the first day on a completely new bike on a new track. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow and I’m sure as I get more experience I will be able to go faster.”
With a strong breeze blowing under clear and sunny skies, Camier went about his work in a methodical and professional manner, and while fast lap-times were not the order of the day, he showed that he is already on the pace and looking hungry for the season ahead.
“It has been a good day and we got through a lot of work and checked most things out – which is the major part of these shakedown tests,” Camier said. “I used the hard tires for most of the day, as we weren’t trying for fast times, but just making sure that everything on the bike was where I remembered it should be!
“We still have a lot to do tomorrow and will continue in the same way as we have today. I’ll have the new-spec 2013 engine to use tomorrow, so I am looking forward to that – if the track feeling is as good as the dyno data it will be a good step.”
FIXI Crescent Suzuki will conclude the Almeria test with one more day of testing before heading off to Jerez for a further two-day test next week.
–From Team Suzuki News Service
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