Suzuki poised for "big" 2018 improvement, says Rins

Suzuki MotoGP rider Alex Rins says he was left encouraged by a test he and teammate Andrea Iannone did at Aragon in September, and is convinced the Japanese manufacturer will make a big step in 2018.

A race-winning team last year with Maverick Vinales, Suzuki has endured a tough season in 2017 with its new line-up of Ducati convert Iannone and rookie Alex Rins, with no podium finishes with just one round left.

Iannone however led a small resurgence for the team at Motegi and Phillip Island, when the Italian placed fourth and sixth respectively, Suzuki's best two results of the year.

This upturn came off the back of a productive post-race test at Aragon, where Rins and Iannone tried a number of parts designed for use next season, as well as a revised engine specification.

It follows Suzuki's admission that it made an error with its choice of engine specification at the start of the year that has compromised its efforts.

"[The 2018 bike will be] a little bit different," said Rins. "We tried a lot of things [at Aragon] and the result was big, the improvement next year will be big.

"It was really important, the test of Aragon, because we improved a lot, both [riders], with the setup, electronics a little bit, adjusting the electronics.

"The Aragon test was more for trying new parts for the next year, so it was a really positive test."

Lead Suzuki rider Iannone has come in for criticism for some of his performances this season, but insisted his fighting performance at Phillip Island should silence his doubters.

The 28-year-old believes he and Suzuki will come good in 2018, once the team gets on top of its inconsistent GSX-RR.

"My bike has moments when it is the best on track, in other times is the worst on the track," said Iannone, who failed to score at Sepang last time out.

"We hope everything will come to fruition next year. We knew the Suzuki had potential, and that I could be a competitive rider; I think I have demonstrated that during my years in MotoGP.

"We are getting to the level me and Suzuki wanted. We are not yet ready to be competitive in any race like we were in Australia, but we know how to work where. We know our strengths and limits."