Brivio: We're excited to start the season

Suzuki surprised the MotoGP paddock throughout the winter with the returning manufacturer much more competitive than expected. Now, with one week to go until the start of the season, Suzuki needs to progress from being a surprising package to being a challenger to Honda, Yamaha and Ducati.

Speaking to MCN in Qatar at the conclusion of winter testing Davide Brivio surmised the progress made over the winter:

“During the winter we had a chance to understand the bike better and what our level is,” said Brivio. “We worked on getting the bike to suit the riders and then to introduce the latest developments. Of course you are never ready and there’s always things to develop and introduce but also we are very interested and excited to go to the first race. Even if the first race is tricky because it’s in the night we will have a better understanding of our level and what we need to develop.

“There’s many things that we need to learn about our competitors because we have always talked about the top four riders but now we have to also think about Ducati too. So our job is getting more difficult but we have to get close to this group now, we’re the fourth manufacturer in MotoGP so we need to get closer to the competition and then get into the fight with them.”

Opening practice will begin on Thursday evening in Qatar.