Rizla Suzuki MotoGP heads to Spain for first ‘official’
test
 Rizla
Suzuki MotoGP is on its way to Jerez in Spain to attend the
opening IRTA test of 2008, an event that will also see the
first competitive action of the season.
Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi will be onboard their
new Rizla Suzuki GSV-Rs in Europe for the first time this
year during the three-day test. The Jerez IRTA test will not
only give the two riders and their machines a tough workout
over the 4.4km Spanish circuit, but will also feature a televised
40-minute against-the-clock qualifying type session, where
the fastest rider will walk away with a brand new BMW car.
Vermeulen and Capirossi will be making their first appearances
on the newly liveried 2008 Rizla Suzuki GSV-R - and in their
latest riding apparel – and it will also be the first
time the duo have tested in Europe this season following two
tests in Malaysia and Australia. The Jerez circuit in Andalucía,
Spain is certainly a track to test the 800cc machine to its
limit, with fast, medium and slow corners over its undulating
layout, providing many hard-braking areas both up and downhill,
plus countless camber changes throughout its 13 challenging
bends.
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP will be in action from Saturday 16th
February, with the televised session getting underway at 14.05hrs
local time (13.05hrs GMT) on Sunday. The Team will then travel
to Losail in Qatar for the second IRTA test on the 28th of
February in readiness for the first round of the season –
also at Losail on Sunday 9th March. Both the Qatar test and
the race will become the first ever MotoGP events staged under
floodlights.
Chris Vermeulen:
“I can’t wait to get to Jerez and get on the
bike. I just want to be riding again and the sooner the better!
It will be great to get back to testing as we need to get
as many miles in as possible before the season starts. This
test will also be good because we have a bit of competition
with all the other bikes and riders on Sunday so we will be
able to get an idea of where we are at the moment. I know
we have a lot of work still to do, but I am more than ready
for it!”
Loris Capirossi:
“I am really looking forward to this weekend. It is
officially my first time in Europe as a Suzuki rider and I
am really excited about everything. The bike is coming along
good and we have lots of things to do at Jerez and then Qatar
before we go into the first race. We don’t get any points
from events like this but for sure it is good to be in action
and to take on the other guys on Sunday to see how we are
progressing.”
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