News 27 Apr 2011

Bautista poised for quick comeback at Estoril for Suzuki

Spaniard Alvaro Bautista is aiming to make his racing return at Estoril this weekend.

Spaniard Alvaro Bautista is aiming to make his racing return at Estoril this weekend.

Rizla Suzuki’s Alvaro Bautista is targeting an amazing return to the MotoGP arena at this weekend’s Portuguese Grand Prix, just 42 days after breaking his left femur.

Bautista has been undergoing intensive physiotherapy to make sure he is at a sufficient level of fitness to be able to take to the track on Friday – following a full medical to determine his ability to compete.

“I have been working very hard to be back in time for Estoril and I believe I will be able to take part in the race,” the Spaniard said. “I know it will be difficult, but I think the sooner I can get on the bike the more it will aid my total recovery and help my way to full fitness.

“I have travelled over 4,500km with many journeys to the hyperbaric chamber in Madrid to assist with my healing – I have been there so many times I could close my eyes and go without problems!

“I have now finished the rehabilitation phase and started on the physical preparation; this involves a lot of swimming, cycling and other fitness programmes to build up the strength so I can ride again.

“It is going to be really tough, but I am totally focused on being on the GSV-R in Portugal, it’s all I can think about at the moment and that is my first goal.

“After that we’ll see what happens and take everything one step at a time.”

Rizla Suzuki’s GSV-R will feature a new logo in Estoril – ‘Change and Challenge’ – which is used by Suzuki in the Asian regions to promote its new range of motorcycle products in these markets.

Rizla Suzuki hopes to engage with the enthusiasm and passion of all MotoGP fans in these areas and it appreciates all the support of Bautista as he undertakes what is certainly a huge ‘challenge’ in his comeback from serious injury.

If he is unable to ride at a competitive level, Rizla Suzuki will have factory test rider Nobuatsu Aoki on stand-by to take over if he has to withdraw from the event – but Bautista’s clear target is to compete in the Grand Prix.

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