Suzuki boss Davide Brivio believes this weekend’s wildcard run at MotoGP’s season finale will provide valuable information ahead of the manufacturer’s full time return next year.

The factory outfit will field a GSX-RR machine for test rider Randy de Puniet at Valencia, which will mark Suzuki’s first MotoGP start since leaving the championship at the end of 2011.

Since announcing a return to grand prix racing in June, the Japanese giant has spent the majority of the year developing its GSX-RR with this weekend’s wildcard appearance set to be it’s biggest test.

Team manager Brivio is hoping the chance to run against the 2014 field in a competitive outing will help uncover the areas the team needs to improve upon before it makes it full championship debut next year.

De Puniet’s bike will be the same machine factory riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales will jump aboard for the 2015 season opener.

“This is a big moment for us because we have been testing for so long,” said Brivio.

“We have been waiting for this. It is only a wildcard appearance and it is the last race of the year but I’m happy to be going to Valencia and I think it is a reward for Randy for the big job he has done on this project.

“This is where the new adventure really starts. I’m aware we have a big job to do, and during the weekend we will take a lot of notes for the work we need to do through the winter.

“This is our first comparison with our competitors and you can only ever really see where you are through a race situation so it’s an important meeting.

“I am aware that the competition are very strong and they have kept racing while Suzuki stepped away for almost three seasons, so we need to catch up and recover the gap and also learn as much as possible to get to their level.

“The target is to be in a position to challenge our competitors as soon as we can.”

Having spent the majority of the season developing the GSX-RR, De Puniet is eagerly awaiting his opportunity to race the new Suzuki machine in what could be the Frenchman’s final MotoGP start.

“I’m very happy to be here and it is like a prize for me to take part in this race,” said De Puniet.

“We have worked hard with the bike so I just want to enjoy it and do my best then we will see what happens.

“It could be my last race in MotoGP so we have to enjoy the moment, because you never know what will happen in the future.”