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Bautista Struggles On Nightmare Day For Suzuki

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Alvaro Bautista was furious after failing to qualify any higher than 14th for the Czech Republic Grand Prix at Brno.

The Rizla Suzuki team were already entering the session a rider light after John Hopkins' practice crash ruled him out through injury. But Bautista's performance did nothing to lighten the mood and the Spaniard was disappointed to fall short of expectations.

“I am not happy with the qualifying because we just didn't get our best level today and we will have to start tomorrow near the back of the grid. My rhythm was not too bad when I followed other riders and I could stay with them, but to be able to do that in the race I have to make a good start again tomorrow and fight my way through. I can't say much more because I am just not happy with how things went today.”

“It was not a good day for the whole team with John crashing this morning and breaking his fingers. I feel very sorry for him because he did well yesterday and it looked like he'd have a good race. MotoGP racing is not always what you want it to be and these things happen, but I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he's back soon.”

Team Manager Paul Denning admitted today was an example of the highs and lows of motorsport and is already eyeing up an improvement in the race.

“Grand Prix racing isn't easy and today showed that! Yesterday we were looking very strong with lap-times in the 57s and both riders in the top-10. Today John is in a cast and Álvaro's qualified 14th and almost half-of-a-second slower than yesterday afternoon. We did have an issue with a vibration at the end of the qualifying, but frankly speaking, we expected a much better time than that earlier in the session when he had a brand new set of tyres. We all know how well he can race, but if we don't qualify better we won't be able to improve the race result.”

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