This year the one-man Suzuki Alstare team has opted to hedge all of its bets with Italian rider Michel Fabrizio. The former factory Ducati man is 26 years of age and made his Superbike debut in 2006. He has four wins to his name and has been on the podium 32 times. Fabrizio has already raced with the Belgian Alstare team in 2003 when he won the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup.
"For this reason it's a bit like coming back home," he said. "Team owner Francis Batta gave me a great opportunity in 2003 and I hope that 2011 will also represent another turning-point in my career".
The last three years in Ducati can't have been easy. What are your hopes now you're back on a Suzuki?
"Suzuki have reduced the budget a bit for the Superbike development but the GSX-R is very competitive and last year it was the only bike that managed to keep up with the Aprilia. The team will continue under its own resources: for example, in the tests we had a different engine to the one used by Haslam in 2010 and a further step is expected for the summer races."
How does it feel to be back on a four-cylinder bike?
"It was a bit difficult to get acclimatized to it again after three seasons on a Ducati twin. But now I'm used to a four again."
Are you pleased with the winter testing results?
"We have not done much testing in the dry but we've still got another two days at Phillip Island to complete the workload and set-up. It'll be important to arrive at the first race ready to go."
What are your expectations?
"It'll be important to begin the world championship on the right foot. I always seem to go well in Australia and so does the Suzuki. I hope to be the surprise..."
"For this reason it's a bit like coming back home," he said. "Team owner Francis Batta gave me a great opportunity in 2003 and I hope that 2011 will also represent another turning-point in my career".
The last three years in Ducati can't have been easy. What are your hopes now you're back on a Suzuki?
"Suzuki have reduced the budget a bit for the Superbike development but the GSX-R is very competitive and last year it was the only bike that managed to keep up with the Aprilia. The team will continue under its own resources: for example, in the tests we had a different engine to the one used by Haslam in 2010 and a further step is expected for the summer races."
How does it feel to be back on a four-cylinder bike?
"It was a bit difficult to get acclimatized to it again after three seasons on a Ducati twin. But now I'm used to a four again."
Are you pleased with the winter testing results?
"We have not done much testing in the dry but we've still got another two days at Phillip Island to complete the workload and set-up. It'll be important to arrive at the first race ready to go."
What are your expectations?
"It'll be important to begin the world championship on the right foot. I always seem to go well in Australia and so does the Suzuki. I hope to be the surprise..."
http://www.worldsbk.com
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