Rizla Suzuki’s Alvaro Bautista crashes in season finale at Valencia Grand Prix – MotoGP news
Rizla Suzuki rider Alvaro Bautista triggered a multi-bike crash at the 2011 MotoGP season finale, Valencia Grand Prix.
Excluding the cancellation of Malaysian GP, it was his third in a row ‘did not finish’ status.
Last time at the Twin Ring Motegi and Phillip Island, he crashed out of good battle. At Australia, he was victimised by unexpected rainfall.
The Spanish rider ended his 2011 season in 13th place on the points table. Since the season start, he faced an injury that hampered his progress.
Despite his crippled season start, he was able to improve himself and his Suzuki GSV-R through season. In last few races, he has continuously been able to stand in top five positions but unfortunately finished lower.
Bautista said, “It has been a bad way to end the year, because before the race I was expecting to be fighting for the podium! In all conditions we had been fast this weekend and I thought we would have a good race today. In the first corner we all arrived
together and I was between Andrea and Valentino.”
The Spanish rider had a strong setup for the wet and also had a decent pace for dry conditions. Bautista showed his pace during the second free practice session when he led the time sheet.
The Spanish Suzuki rider added, “Unfortunately Andrea hit my front wheel with his rear tyre and I couldn’t do anything to save the crash. The worst thing was that I hit three other riders and they crashed as well, I am sorry for them and also sorry for the
team and all the fans.”
The Spaniard claimed that the season has been tough, considering the start when he fractured his left femur at Qatar.
Through the mid of the season he was able to make some progress but could not deliver impressive race results. His season’s best finish was at fifth place during the British Grand Prix.
However, he marked his progress in the qualifying sessions in the last few races of the 2011 season. The most prominent run in the qualifying session was at Phillip Island where he took third position on the grid.
Batista was displeased to end his final season with Rizla Suzuki in a bad condition. The Spanish rider is expected move to Honda Gresini after the death of Marco Simoncelli.
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