Randy De Puniet has concluded his test role with the Suzuki team for 2013 season.

The Suzuki MotoGP test team has completed its final series of European tests, coming away with a positive feeling from a two-day shakedown at Mugello after three previous days on track at Misano last week.

Riders Randy De Puniet and Nob Aoki evaluated and made improvements to the Suzuki bike engine and the re-designed cowling, both resulting in better overall top speed.

The team’s newly-chosen chassis design and electronics were also tested, offering better traction control and engine braking.

Direct comparisons between the circuits have allowed the team to take away valuable data which will be analysed before the testing program continues in Japan.

De Puniet said he enjoyed his time with the team and hoped to be able to work with the manufacturer as it continued its project into the new year.

“In these two long days we’ve worked a lot on the electronic-mapping in different situations,” said De Puniet.

“We also understand that we need to work more on rear grip. We expected Mugello being a difficult track and from this test we gave a lot of information to the engineers, which they can now work on.

“I’m a little sad that this was the last test for this season, as I’ve enjoyed riding this bike and working with the Suzuki Factory Team.

“I hope I will have more opportunities to ride again in the future and to continue improving this bike.”

Test team manager Davide Brivio and MotoGP project leader Satoru Terada agreed that a rider the calibre of De Puniet had added invaluable input to the exercise in the crucial early development stages.

“Randy has helped us a lot, even if at some times we’ve had to ask him for such a big effort between his regular MotoGP races,” said Brivio.

“I would like to thank Randy very much for his contribution in finding strong and weak points of our project. His comments were – and will be – important for the development work we have ahead of us in the coming months.”

Suzuki’s official return to MotoGP will come in 2015. It has indicated it will not pursue wildcard entries in 2014 unless warranted by the development of the bike.