Following our earlier feature on the history of Suzuki in MotoGP we now bring you an overview of the brandnew team that Bati will be working with this season. And let it be said beforehand: It is a BIG team. If you thought that the five mechanics Bati had in 250cc were many, you have seen nothing yet.
Meet the Rizla Suzuki team 2010 and say Hello to Bati’s side of the garage.
Not counting the teammembers in Loris’ box there are all in all 21 people responsible for Bati’s needs or the team on a whole, 7 of them working for Alvaro alone. The majority of them are the same who’ve previously been working for Chris Vermeulen.
These are the faces you need to know in 2010 (for a better overview we’ve also done a fancy face collage for you, not to be confused with a Most Wanted list).
Team organisation:
• Shinichi Sahara, project manager: This is the man responsible for Suzuki’s racing operation. He’s been with the team for many years and only recently stepped up into this position.
• Paul Denning, team manager: The man you will see on screen the most whenever someone wants to know anything about the team, he is practically our new Jorge Martinez. The man responsible for getting Bati signed. A man we like. ;D
• Russel Jordan, Parts and Logistics manager: Someone you’ll rarely see as he works mostly behind the scenes. Responsible for getting all the team’s equipment from A to B and making sure that everything’s there what’s needed.
• Charlie Moody, operations manager: Another face from behind the scenes you’ll probably rarely see. But watch out for the 70s hairstyle when you’re in the paddock.
• Helen Taylor, team administrator: The only woman in the crew. Someone’s gotta keep all those guys in line.
• Tim Walpole, press and PR officer: A fansite’s best friend, because he’s the man responsible for all the press releases, official interviews and pictures to be published. We already love him lots.
Bati’s boys:
• Tom O’Kane, crew chief: Alvaro’s main go-to-guy for everything concerning the bike. This is the man who gets the Suzuki adjusted exactly to Bati’s needs and translates his input to make it the best bike possible.
• Simon Westwood, crew leader: A former motorcylce racer himself, he coordinates all the crew in Bati’s part of the garage.
• Renato Penacchio, data analyst
• Tsutomu Matsugano, technician
• Ray Hughes, technician: Among other things he’s also the man responsible for Bati’s pitboard.
• Mark Fleming, truck driver and technician: Yep, Alvaro got his very own truck driver now!
• ECU Control Assistance: Still to be named
Tech Support:
• Richard Francis, Sub-Assemblies Manager
• Tetsuya Sasaki, Chassis Development
• Engine Builder – Still to be named
• Takayuki Nakamoto, Engine Development/Control
Parts Support:
• Dirk Debus, 2D Electronics
• Yukihiko Kubo, Bridgestone tyres
• Graeme Irvine, Öhlins suspension
• Eugenio Gandolfi, Brembo Brakes
