Rins will 'probably' try new chassis at Assen

Alex Rins looks set to try a new Suzuki chassis during the Dutch MotoGP, after a promising test in Catalunya last week.

The new frame had been used by wild-card and factory test rider Sylvain Guintoli throughout the Barcelona race weekend, before also being handed to Rins for the post-race test.

"We gained a lot of information with Sylvain and Alex both trying our newly modified chassis," said technical manager Ken Kawauchi. "During a race weekend it’s difficult to properly test new parts and settings, so test days like these are really important and useful for us."

Rins, fourth in the race, set some quick laps on the standard GSX-RR chassis to lead the timesheets for large parts of the day, before trying the new design. Although the modified frame offered improvements in braking, it came at a cost in other areas, hence his caution at making a final decision just yet.

"I found that the modified chassis had a lot of positive points, but also there are some things about it that I would like to improve," said Rins, who was shuffled to fourth on the final test timesheets.

"There’s not a lot to change with it, but we will evaluate it further to try and get the best from it."

Team manager David Brivio said the next evaluation will 'probably' be during the forthcoming Dutch TT weekend:

"We think [the new chassis] will improve braking stability; it could be useful in some circuits so Alex will probably try it again in Assen.

"We also tested electronics, ergonomics, and a tyre from Michelin. Overall a positive test with good pace from Alex."

On the other side of the Suzuki garage, rookie Joan Mir followed up his career best sixth in the race with eighth place at the test, 0.35s behind Rins.

"Joan tried some different settings, including suspension, but also he was just working on his riding style and some basic things," said Brivio.

"I’m happy because I’ve improved my general pace and my fast lap pace," Mir declared. "We’ve worked well all day, improving every area of the bike a little bit. We didn’t focus on any one thing really, more just my overall feeling with bike and building my experience up.”

Rins is third in the world championship, but now just two points from Andrea Dovizioso after the Ducati rider was taken down in Jorge Lorenzo's accident.