Aragon MotoGP: Alvaro Bautista targets top six

Alvaro Bautista believes he can challenge for top six finishes in the final part of the 2010 MotoGP world championship. 

The Spaniard has had a tough rookie campaign in the premier class but has finished eighth in the last two races in Indianapolis and Misano on board Suzuki’s factory GSV-R machine.

The former 125GP world champion’s early season was blighted by a serious shoulder injury he picked up in May.

But he hopes to challenge closer to the top six in the final third of the campaign as he tries to force his way into contention for a top ten overall position in the rankings.

Speaking ahead of the first ever Motorland Aragon race this weekend, Bautista said: “After the race in Misano I looked at my rhythm and it was not too bad and maybe I could have fought for sixth position.

“In this class it is very important in the first laps and also the start but in Misano I lost a lot of places when (Nicky) Hayden and (Loris) Capirossi crashed in front of me. Apart from that my pace was very good and Suzuki is improving the bike and working a lot, so I hope for the final few races we can continue to close the gap to the front group.

“It is very difficult when you move to this category but also the injuries at the beginning was a big problem for me. I lost some races but now I’m recovering the time lost. I feel confident for the next races and I feel like I can fight for sixth.”