Alvaro Bautista expects to be much stronger in France

Alvaro Bautista is hoping a period of rest and recuperation will help bring him closer to 100 per cent fitness after the exertion of racing and testing in Estoril last weekend.

The factory Suzuki rider will rest for a period ahead of the forthcoming French Grand Prix at Le Mans having ridden his GSV-R machine for four consecutive days in Portugal.

Estoril was the first track action for the former world 125GP champion since he broke his left femur in a horror high-side crash during practice for the season’s opening race in Qatar back in March.

And he told MCN: “The leg is quite stiff and it is difficult to walk without a stick having been on the bike for so long. But I don’t need to walk with the stick all of the time. Physically I am about 80 per cent but also mentally it is not so easy.”

“The last time I rode the bike before Estoril I was flying through the air, so your mind needs to recover the feeling and the speed. I think I am around 75 per cent of riding the bike.”

Bautista, who finished 13th in Estoril having run off track to avoid Karel Abraham’s early crash, said he will be stronger for the fourth round of the 2011 world championship in Le Mans on May 15.

He added: “I just need time now. I did a lot of hard work to get ready for the Estoril race and maybe now I need to improve the power in my leg because that has been the most difficult thing. I think I need time but I will be much better at the next race.”