Voltcom Suzuki’s Randy De Puniet will be back on MotoGP testing duty at Sepang just a week after riding his GSX-R1000 World Superbike at Portimao alongside Alex Lowes.

The Frenchman is still a major part of the manufacturer’s Grand Prix effort and will have only a few days off after spending time in Portugal before hot-footing to Malaysia for four days on the GSX-RR.

“These WSBK tests will be very important, especially for me in Portimao as it will be my first time at this track; it is only for two-days but I have a lot to learn. It was good to be in Jerez two months ago to discover the new bike and the new engine specification; we worked well there and left with a good feeling so I am confident ahead of the next test,” said De Puniet.

“In Portimao I will try to learn the track quickly so I can work to adapt the bike for my riding style at this circuit. Returning to Jerez will be interesting to see if we can continue to improve the bike and if we have the same feeling after the winter break.

“I’m quite confident because the feeling and the base-setting we left there with in November was quite good. The bike will be more-or-less the same as the 2015-spec GSX-R I tested on my last day; my aim now is to get as much time on the bike as possible and to run race-simulation. I was fast on the qualifying tyre last-time-out and I would like to improve on this as well as my times on the race tyre. I think the key will be to focus on the set-up for when the rear tyre begins to drop.

“I have spent the winter training, both in the mountains, at home and while on holiday, so I am very ready to ride. After the test I will continued to train for a further week at home before flying to Malaysia for the MotoGP test. It is a busy off-season for me, but it will be good to ride the GP bike as one last training session before arriving at Phillip Island for the first race of the WSBK season.”