Suzuki confirms MotoGP return

Nobuatsu Aoki and CRT rider Randy de Puniet tested the un-named Suzuki 1,000cc inline-four prototype, which was the focus of the assembled media at the Catalunya test.

The new team will, at this stage, consist of Davide Brivio (formerly with Yamaha during the 'first' Yamaha-Rossi era) as team manager and de Puniet as development rider. Whether de Puniet will step up as team rider for the 2015 return has yet to be confirmed.

Suzuki, who have been out of MotoGP since the end of 2011, issued the following statement to announce their return and coincide with the public debut of the new MotoGP machine.

"After two years suspension since 2012, Suzuki Motor Corporation has organised its test team to undergo more practical running tests at its advanced development stage and will participate in the official joint testing to be held at the Catalunya circuit in Spain.

"Through continuing running tests at the circuits inside and outside Japan for further development and refinement, Suzuki Motor Corporation will participate again in MotoGP racing from 2015.

"Suzuki Motor Corporation will feed back advanced technology to be derived through MotoGP racing activity to develop further attractive production models."

Suzuki last won the premier-class title with Kenny Roberts in 2000, but took just one more race win - Chris Vermeulen at Le Mans in 2007 - with their GSV-R since. When Suzuki return in 2015, they will join Honda, Yamaha and Ducati as official factory entrants.

At catalunya, Yamaha Racing's Jorge lorenzo was fastest,with a 1'41.908 best lap time, followed by LCR Honda's Stefan Bradl, and the Ducati pair of Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso, who were running back-to-back camparisons of their GP 13 and GP13 'Lab' bikes.