Bautista is confident that Suzuki has made steps forward for 2011.

Rizla Suzuki lone ranger Alvaro Bautista believes he’s ready for a challenging season ahead after finishing the final pre-season test of the year in 12th at Qatar overnight.

Bautista was one of the busiest riders on track as he completed 63 laps. He worked his way through an exhaustive test programme to get as much information about the performance of the GSV-R around the Losail track in readiness for this weekend’s race.

Bautista also tested new compound front and rear Bridgestone tyres, as well as giving a thorough test to the compounds that he will most probably use in the season opener.

“It has been another big workload tonight and we got a lot done again. We tried a different setting to try and get more grip with the rear tyre, because although yesterday wasn’t too bad we still wanted to improve,” the Spaniard said.

“I tested some new Bridgestone tyres tonight, but they didn’t quite give me the same confidence as the ones we already have, but we still needed to test them so I’m glad I did. At the end I hoped to make a long run with the harder tyres, but it was too late.

“So instead I put a soft tyre in the rear and a hard in the front to try to make a good lap, but I tried to warm the tyres on the out lap so I could push hard and when I arrived in the last corner I braked very hard and lost the front, so I finished my day before the end of the test!

“I am happy with the work from the two days because we have a very clear direction for next weekend. We are in a much stronger position than a year ago and I’m looking forward to the race.”

Bautista’s best time today was almost 0.4sec faster than Sunday night and he continued to produce consistent laps all evening as he showed decent race pace.

Rizla Suzuki will be in race action for the first time this season this weekend, when the curtain-raising GP gets underway beneath the floodlights at Losail in Qatar on Sunday.