Team SUZUKI ECSTAR heads to Austin in Texas and the 5.5km Circuit of the Americas (COTA) for the second round of the 2015 MotoGP™ series this weekend with the aim of continuing the ongoing pattern of improvements for the GSX-RR machine.

Following the 2015 season debut in Qatar two weeks ago, Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales are ready to once again measure themselves and their GSX-RR machines’ performances against the top riders and teams in the world of motorcycle racing. In Qatar they both achieved their target of finishing the race in the points, with Espargaro taking 11th place and five points and MotoGP™ Rookie Vinales taking 14th place and two points.

The Circuit of the Americas is one of the most varied on the GP circuit, with a mix of fast straights and tight hairpins. Both the Team SUZUKI ECSTAR riders are expecting a tough battle from the start of Free Practice on Friday, with the whole team looking to once again improve step-by-step in every area.




Aleix Espargaro:

“I’m curious to see how the race in Austin will work out. In Qatar we had the objective to finish the race and we achieved it, but we could have done better in terms of the final position, so our primary aim in Texas will be to improve on 11th position. The circuit is very unusual, with a very long straight that won’t be easy for us, but it also has both fast and slow corners and this is where we can take advantage of the excellent chassis and handling of the GSX-RR. Of course it will be crucial to establish a good overall set-up, but I am looking forward to getting back to racing and I know we can improve and be closer to the top, so we will be working very hard for better results. ”

Maverick Viñales:

“My plan for Austin is to improve our approach to the race little by little without making mistakes and establishing a solid method of work and in fixing the small problems we had in Qatar. I still have a lot to learn, so I will work on my riding style and on finding the most effective race lines for the GSX-RR. I will also aim to improve my feedback to the team. I know that Suzuki can improve the machine if we give good information and feedback. Austin is a track I really like. I had two good results in previous years in Moto3™ and Moto2™, so I’ll try to keep this positive run of results into MotoGP™. I know we could have done better in Qatar, so I’m hoping for an improvement here in Texas.”