Suzuki switch is ‘big risk’ admits Alvaro Bautista

Alvaro Bautista admitted he is taking a ‘big risk’ by signing a two-year deal with Suzuki’s factory MotoGP squad.

But the Spaniard said the only way he can become a big premier class player is to ride for a factory team, despite Suzuki’s lack of a success in the four-stroke MotoGP era.

Bautista’s deal to ride a factory GSV-R was confirmed last month after he rejected the chance to ride a Ducati GP10 in Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez’s new squad.

Bautista, who currently rides a factory Aprilia for Martinez in the 250GP world championship, said: “The opportunity to be in a factory team is one I had to take. It has been a difficult decision to leave Aspar but it was only a one-rider team and that makes it much harder.

“And I am with a factory at Suzuki, so if I want something higher, shorter or longer, I can request this. This is not possible if you don’t ride for a factory. It is a risky decision but one that I am convinced is the right one. I know Jorge is not happy, but as a rider I hope he understands why I chose this direction.”

Bautista is expected to make his Suzuki debut immediately after the final race in Valencia in early November.