MotoGP exile Ben Spies has been linked with a possible slot in a Suzuki test team which could see him develop the next generation GSV-R in 2013 and take part in as many as six wildcard rides and then do a full season in 2014.
The Texan, who has a long-standing relationship with bosses at Hammammatsu, is also strongly tipped to take Leon Haslam's slot in the BMW World Superbike team but a space developing the 2014 MotoGP contender could prove hard to resist.
A source inside the project told bikesportnews.com there are currently two paths to the development of the new MotoGP bike. One is to have a a test team, solely working on the GSV-R and have one rider wildcard at various events.
The second is to re-instate the Suzuki World Superbike team and whichever rider is chosen for that will also do the test and development work on the GSV-R with less MotoGP appearances.
bikesportnews.com has learned that Alstare boss Francis Batta is one of several team bosses that has put his name forward to run the WSBK side of the endeavour. Suzuki are apparently looking to seal the deal by the end of this month.
