Ecstar Suzuki’s Maverick Vinales has tested the new seamless gearbox for the first time during a private MotoGP test at Sepang and has a ‘positive impression’ of the system and how it works with the spec electronics.

Vinales was supported in the two-day test by Takuya Tsuda and Nobuatsu Aoki, who ran many laps to supply Suzuki’s R&D department in Japan with useful information and data before the winter break. Team-mate Aleix Espargaro was absent due to a motocross injury.

“These two days have been very intense; we tested many many things and I’m happy because I could try the 2016 electronics. The first touch was positive and it left me with the feeling that it has a great potential, but we still have so many things to work on and there’s room to improve,” said Vinales.

“ I’m also happy I could test the new seamless, we were expecting it and my impression is very positive. The track was not really clean which meant I couldn’t push really hard, but for our team the testing was good. Now we have plenty of information to work on during the winter and get ready for the next test in February. To go for the winter break with such a good feeling is positive and it gives me great hopes for the further improvements. Now I can take a little rest and then start training again to be ready for the next tests in February.”