Suzuki MotoGP test rider Randy De Puniet raised eyebrows at the Catalunya test when he posted a laptime only three-quarters of a second slower than Jorge Lorenzo on the new GSV-R1000 or XRH-1 as it is currently codenamed.
The Frenchman went round in 1'42.676, which would have been enough for a fourth-row start in Sunday's race and was hoping to find some problems with the bike in the tests at Aragon on Tuesday and Wednesday as, at the moment, he can't find any.
"We work today step by step like we did in Motegi and the base of the bike was already good. We needed to adjust the gearbox for this bike but I am satisfied for the development of the bike. I didn't touch the limit again and that's why Aragon will be a good test because we have two full days," said De Puniet, speaking at Catalunya.
"I hope to find some problems as, at the moment, I don't have any problem. I like the position, I feel very comfortable on the bike. It is easy to do many laps and be consistent. The base of the bike is already at a high level, so we just need to improve.
"We never have technical trouble, the bike never stop on the track. This is good. The engine has more power (compared to the CRT) I don't know how much as I rode alone. I will try to follow someone at Aragon to find the potential of the engine.
"It is smoother than the last Suzuki engine, the 800 was more aggressive. The position in the frame is very close. They have taken the good points of it and have put on this bike.
"I like the feeling from the front but we need to work on it to get the corner speed. After that, we need to make better the traction control."
