Guy Martin had his first taste of Relentless Suzuki by TAS machinery at Almeria in Spain when he tested the team’s GSX-R1000 Superbike at the weekend. The newly-signed British rider from Lincoln rider also took time out to ride the all-new GSX-R600 during Suzuki’s official launch at the same circuit and was suitably impressed. Martin completed just over 80 laps of the Almeria circuit in near perfect conditions and was immediately blown away by the performance of the GSX-R1000 Superbike. The bike was run with the same specification that had been used at this year’s Ulster Grand Prix, as team manager Philip Neill wanted Martin to use it as a starting point. Two different engine specifications and a number of new parts were taken to the test, and although the team opted to run the bike with limited electronic aids – to give Guy a feel for the engine – he still reported it was the best Superbike he’d ever ridden. Philip Neill- Team Manager: “This is a great start to our relationship with Guy and to be one step ahead of the rest with an early test in December demonstrates our commitment to the job in hand. He’s also the first rider to test the new 600, even though it was in road trim. We still have a lot of updates for the Superbike, which he will now try in February: things like a full Magneti Marelli package that will make the bike even better for him, so we are pretty excited at his feedback and already looking forward to getting started in 2011.” Guy Martin: “It’s mega to get out before Christmas with no pressure and no stop watches and just try different things – I mean who else is out there testing before Christmas? The last time I rode a GSX-R1000 was for a magazine test last year and I gave it a good write up, but the Relentless Superbike was just mega. I was more than impressed with it and the way the boys worked with me was equally as impressive. They knew exactly what I wanted and in less than a day the bike felt like it was mine – I would have been quite happy to race it. They tailored all the little things I like to suit me and the feel I got from the engine, suspension and chassis was fantastic. “I also got the chance to ride the new little 600. The GSX-R600 was never a bad bike, but having lost a bit of weight and added more grunt, it’s not going be on the back foot now is it? I’m looking forward to running it in race trim in the New Year.”