TV's Parrish rides the MotoGP Suzuki

BBC pundit Steve Parrish will feature in a special ride on John Hopkins’ factory Suzuki GSV-R 800 in the build-up to the Beeb’s coverage of this weekend’s Spanish GP.

Parrish is the first non full-time GP or test rider to throw his leg over one of the new generation 800cc machines, and his ride on the Rizla Suzuki will be featured in the BBC 2 coverage of the Spanish GP that starts at 12.30pm on Sunday.

“I can now appreciate why this year’s lap times are already faster than those from last season, “said Parrish. “No one expected the bikes to be this good. However, these new generation machines are a beautifully balanced package, as opposed to the tyre shredding 990s. I’m sure the 800’s will just get faster and faster over the season as the teams continue to develop the bikes. It seems the very expensive rule change hasn’t worked in slowing the bikes down as originally intended.”

The Jerez MotoGP will be broadcast live and in full this Sunday on BBC 2 from 12.30pm. There will be post-race analysis and interviews in MotoGP Extra on BBC Interactive from 2pm.

Read a full report and Parrish’s impressions in MCN, March 28, 2007.