Crescent Suzuki's former MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli says he is encouraged by the progress the new GSX-R1000 has made over the '08 model after competing 145 laps on it.
The British Superbike team has spent the past three days testing at the Spanish Calafat circuit and despite suffering from windy conditions, Guintoli is happy with his performance.
"Overall it's been a really encouraging start. Compared to the 2008 machine I rode at Brands Hatch last year, the new Cresent Suzuki already feels more focused, and this is just our first outing. Despite the test being shortened due to the high winds, I feel like we've got a great package to build on from here onwards," said the Frenchman.
Team manager Jack Valentine added: "I'm really pleased with how things have gone this week. We tested here last year, and I know from Sylvain's performance that we're leaving here in a much stronger position already. We've actually made minimal setting changes, which just demonstrates how good the new bike is."
The team now head back to the UK, before returning to Almeria in Spain next month for further testing.
