Randy de Puniet - Photo Credit: Suzuki Racing
Rizla Suzuki team manager Paul Denning praised Randy de Puniet after the Frenchman went fourth fastest on the opening day of the Valencia test. The team's future for 2012 remains uncertain, meaning de Puniet only had an 800cc GSV-R at his disposal and Denning was pleased with what he saw.
“We took this opportunity today to test with Randy because the bike has changed quite a lot over the year, and with John's bad luck in Brno and Malaysia we didn't get the chance to get the further feedback from a rider other than Ãlvaro. With that in mind it was an opportunity to properly test the 2012 Bridgestone tyres and receive detailed comments on the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R from another perspective. Frankly speaking we didn't expect the result, but we are really pleased to see that Randy enjoyed the bike so much, was able to get a good feeling immediately and was very fast and consistent, as well as giving excellent technical feedback. I would like to say thank-you to him – I was very impressed with what he did today.”
De Puniet is looking for a new team in 2012 after being released by Pramac Ducati and the 30 year old hopes Tuesday's performance has boosted his chances of a race seat should Suzuki commit their future to the series.
“I am very happy with the job I have done today and would like to thank Rizla Suzuki for giving me this opportunity. One hour before I rode the bike I didn't know I was going to be on it, so I had to modify old leathers to remove the wrong brands! I had a good day and am very happy with the lap-time and position. The staff are very professional and it has been nice to have this day and to work with them. I was very impressed with the bike and I felt comfortable immediately and enjoyed it a lot. I would like to ride it next year, I'm not the boss, but I hope I did a good job for everybody! I think the bike has good potential and also the feeling with everybody in the team was good and this is the most important thing for me – to feel at home.”
“I would like to say thank-you to my manager for pushing so hard to get me this opportunity, to Pramac for allowing me to take it and to Sahara san, Paul, Tom and the GSV-R for such a good day!”
