Rizla Suzuki MotoGP riders Loris Capirossi and Alvaro Bautista visited the Suzuki Factory at Hamamatsu in Japan earlier this week, en-route to the second test of the year at Sepang in Malaysia. Capirossi and Bautista were joined on the trip to Suzuki’s headquarters by Team Manager Paul Denning and were given a tour of the base for Suzuki’s global activities. The trio were shown around the ‘Suzuki Plaza’ museum by Suzuki’s Directors Mr.Toshihiro Suzuki and Mr. Masanori Atsumi and Managing Officer Mr. Sadayuki Inobe. The group were able to inspect many of Suzuki’s historical products including original Suzuki looming machines, Suzuki’s first ever powered two-wheeler the ‘Power Free’ motorised bicycle , the ‘Colleda’ – the first true motorcycle produced by Suzuki – and the RM62 (50cc), which won Suzuki’s first motorcycle Grand Prix at the Isle of Man TT in 1962. Capirossi and Bautista also visited Suzuki’s race department and met with engineers to discuss the detailed progress that is being made in the development of the 2010 Suzuki GSV-R that the pair will be riding during this season’s MotoGP World Championship. Capirossi and Bautista now head to Malaysia for an important second test this week. The pair will be trying the latest updates for their Suzuki GSV-R’s at the 5,548m Sepang International Circuit. Capirossi had a promising test there earlier this month when he finished sixth overall on the timesheets and new team-mate Bautista will be looking to continue with the impressive learning development that he has shown since making the move up to MotoGP from the 250cc class. Loris Capirossi: “It was a great experience to visit Suzuki’s Head Office and Motorcycle Technical Engineering Centre. I have been to the factory before but I never visited the Suzuki Museum, and it was amazing to see Suzuki’s technologies going right back to the start of the last century, and the first motorcycle from 1952. Suzuki has always been innovating, and this was so clear to see in the Museum. I also saw some old Suzuki bikes that I would really like to own maybe I can do some negotiation on that! Our meetings in the Racing Department were also very important, and it really makes us understand Suzuki’s effort when we see so many engineers focusing on making the best possible bike for only two riders Alvaro and me. I would also like to thank Toshihiro-san, Atsumi-san and Inobe-san for taking time to see us and give us their support for the 2010 season. I am going to Sepang full of motivation, and I know that Suzuki is 100% behind me.” Alvaro Bautista: “I want to say thank you to Suzuki for their invitation and for a great experience today. I am new to MotoGP, and new to Suzuki, but I really feel more like part of the Suzuki family each day. The engineering facility is amazing, it really opened my eyes to what goes on to support us and after visiting the museum I know a lot more about Suzuki’s history. It is incredible to see such a huge company still feeling like a family business and everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I did my best to tell the engineers my exact feedback from the bike, but first I need to push my own level to the maximum and get to the limit of the bike then it’s my right to complain and request better performance, but not yet! I feel the same as Loris very motivated and very sure that Suzuki will do its maximum to support us.”