Alvaro Bautista thinks Indy result will move Suzuki team forward

The Spaniard had been on course for similar results in the past two races at Laguna Seca and Brno, but crashed out of both while running competitively.

He now thinks that the Indianapolis result - his best dry finish of the season - can inspire the team to more of the same in the coming races.

"It was very important was to finish the race as I have crashed in the last two, so I am very happy that I did that," said Bautista. "It gives us more motivation and also the team needed a result. Now we are in the best position to make another step forward."

"I am happy with today's position because this weekend we didn't have the same rhythm as we have done in the last couple of races. I had a good qualifying session, but I was not quite on par with the top guys and that meant I couldn't really stay with them and fight in the race.

"I made a decent start and overtook a couple of riders, but I just couldn't keep up with the front group.

"We struggled a bit more at this track because we just could't get the bike to turn how we wanted it to and I think we were not quite at the same level as some of the others around here.

"I think today was the best result we could have got - so we did the maximum. We now go to Misano and I think we can be more competitive from the beginning, so I am really looking forward to the race."

Suzuki team boss Paul Denning praised the job done by Bautista throughout the Indianapolis weekend

"After showing so much potential at Laguna and Brno and coming home with nothing, it was great to see Alvaro take the chequered flag today," Denning said.

"It was a well-won sixth place and it was richly deserved for him and the whole team. I don't think this is one of the best tracks for us and we were only beaten by the three works Hondas and the two factory Yamahas. This bodes well for the rest of the season."