First pic: Alvaro Bautista tests Gresini Honda

Alvaro Bautista has made his debut for the Gresini Honda squad at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia this morning.

The Spaniard has moved to the Italian squad after confirming he was leaving Suzuki this morning.

He will replace popular Italian rider Marco Simoncelli, who succumbed to multiple serious injuries in a horrific crash during last month’s Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.

Bautista completed an initial six-lap run and set a best time of 1.35.403.

It is not clear yet whether the former 125GP world champion will get the same full factory support from HRC that was included in Simoncelli’s new deal for 2012 when the late 24-year-old signed on the eve of last month’s Japanese Grand Prix.