Jerez 'could be good for Suzuki'
Aleix Espargaro is hoping that the absence of a long straight at Jerez will allow Suzuki's MotoGP chassis to shine.
Espargaro claimed the GSX-RR's best result yet with a seventh place in Argentina, a race he started from second on the grid.
The lack of top speed is a particular disadvantage in the races, leaving Espargaro and rookie team-mate Maverick Vinales vulnerable on the straights while also preventing them getting close enough to make a pass on the brakes.
But while the opening three events have all seen peak speeds of over 330km/h (205mph), last year's top speed best at Jerez was 'only' 295km/h (183mph).
"I'm happy to get back to Europe and to go to Jerez; it's a track I like and although it is not my home race we are in Spain and I will have extra support from the home fans," Espargaro said. "The circuit could be good for us because the straight is not so long, allowing us to better exploit the advantages that come from our effective chassis.
"At the last races we experienced some issues, but they may also be related to the circuits we were at, so I'm looking forward to test the GSX-RR in Jerez to see how it goes. The team, both on track and at home in Japan, is working hard to support me in finding the best confidence with the bike. I believe we can pursue our objective to get well into the points again and hopefully be into the top eight."
Vinales will be taking part in his first home event as a MotoGP rider. Like Espargaro, the former Moto3 champion has scored points in every race with a best of ninth in Texas.
"I have good memories from Jerez," Vinales said. "I've had some very good races there and I like the track, which should also be better for our machines than Austin and Termas de Rio Hondo. For sure racing in Spain is something emotional; there will be a lot of supporters and this will give me more 'push' to perform well.
"We know our strengths and our weaknesses so we will immediately start to test some improvements in the set-up and see how my GSX-RR will be at this particular circuit. On my side I know that as usual I will need to reset my reference points on the track and to make new ones according to the improving performance of the MotoGP machine, but my Suzuki has shown to be very adaptable; therefore the one that will have the most to do is me."
Free practice at Jerez takes place on Friday.
