Alvaro Bautista: 'I'm better off alone'

Alvaro Bautista reckons it will be more beneficial for him to operate as the lone rider in Suzuki’s factory MotoGP squad for 2011.

The Spaniard will be Suzuki’s single entry this year following the Japanese factory’s decision to slash its involvement to just one GSV-R machine because of the on-going impact of the global economic crisis.

With only Bautista’s input going into the development of this year’s V4 machine, many expect the speed at which the bike progresses during the season will be greatly reduced.

But Bautista, who finished his rookie campaign in 2010 in 13th place overall, reckons all the focus of the factory being placed on him and his comments is a big positive.

Bautista told MCN: “For me it is better. When I stop in the garage everybody is paying attention to me and they make the changes according to my request. There is no pressure for me, just more support for me. They are making the bike only for me and this is a big positive in my view.”

Bautista will conclude his pre-season preparations in Qatar this weekend when the night test takes place on Sunday and Monday ahead of the first race of the 2011 campaign in Doha on March 20.