Smooth Elena makes MotoGP debut

Myers, aged 17, races in the 2011 AMA Pro SuperSport West Division and last week, she completed a handful of laps onboard Alvaro Bautista's Suzuki GSV-R prototype machine.

Team SuzukiScoopFans rider Myers was given the chance to ride the GSV-R after chatting with Suzuki MotoGP Team Manager Paul Denning at Laguna Seca earlier this year.

The teenager produced a superbly-confident performance on the Suzuki GSV-R as she completed five laps of the 4,216m American circuit as part of the build-up to the weekend's Grand Prix at the historic track.

Myers got into a smooth rhythm and managed to break the 300 km/h barrier as she clocked an impressive 306 km/h down the main straight.

She was watched by regular Suzuki MotoGP racer Bautista and many other Grand Prix stars as she put the GSV-R through its paces, and all were impressed with her smooth and self-assured riding style.

Bautista was also on-hand before Myers took to the track to offer advice and was waiting in the pit-box as she returned his bike ready for Sunday's race.

Myers became the first female racer to win an AMA Pro road-race when she took victory at the AMA ProSuperSport event at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California in 2010.

In the 2011 AMA Pro SuperSport West Division season, Myers has recorded one podium finish and five more top-five finishes, on her way to an impressive fifth overall - despite missing two rounds due to injury.

Elena Myers:

"Wow! I can't really say anything else; it was just such an incredible experience! I can't thank the guys at Suzuki MotoGP enough - they have been awesome! This makes me so hungry to come out here and try it someday for real on a race weekend: Well I guess this is a race weekend, but I mean for real next time. I can't say enough about the bike either; it does everything 20 times better than I ever would have imagined - this has just been amazing and I think I'll slowly realise what just happened over the next couple of days. The GSV-R just blew me away!"

Paul Denning - Team Manager:

"It was great to see Elena out on a MotoGP bike and very cool that - as the Suzuki MotoGP team - we could help her fulfil one of her dreams. At 17-years-old, and judging by her performances in the AMA Pro SuperSport championship, she has a significant amount of ability that is only going to develop as she gains experience. She treated the run today with great intelligence and maturity, but nonetheless it was impressive to see that she wasn't afraid of either the speed or the power!

"Thanks to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for helping us to make this happen, the boys for preparing the bike and to Alvaro for letting Elena use it!"

For further information, go to www.suzuki-racing.com.