Tough test for Rizla Suzuki MotoGP produces clear direction
for improvement
 Rizla
Suzuki MotoGP has completed the second 2008 pre-season test
on a positive note at one of its toughest tracks on the MotoGP
calendar.
Phillip Island in Australia has recently proved a difficult
circuit for Suzuki to conquer, but Chris Vermeulen and Loris
Capirossi both made significant improvements during this three-day
test that will help their performances not just at the 4.4km
Australian circuits but also at other tracks around the world.
Vermeulen tested a range of Bridgestone qualifying tyres
today and clocked the sixth fastest time with a lap of 1’30.216,
over a second-and-a-half quicker than his qualifying time
at last year’s Australian Grand Prix. He also improved
on the race-tyre lap-times that he recorded at November’s
behind-closed-doors test at Phillip Island.
Capirossi undertook a race length simulation today, but the
full evaluation was cut just short due to another rider crashing
and the session being halted by a red flag.
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP now returns to Europe for its next test
at Jerez in Spain, which will also include a televised hour-long
session on Sunday 17th February. This test will also see the
first time that the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R has appeared in its
2008 livery.
Chris Vermeulen:
“We have found some promising things with the bike
today, but we still have some issues to sort out at Phillip
Island – it certainly seems to be our bogey track! We
tested so many options over the three days and tried different
things from almost every angle - we’ve definitely found
some direction to help us. Our lap-times were quicker than
when we came here in November so that certainly means we’re
moving forward. Everything that Suzuki is doing is definitely
helping so that is also a very positive step. We tried some
qualifiers and that went quite well, which for me personally
is a very encouraging thing as that is certainly an area I
need to improve in. We now head to Spain for the next test
with the season getting closer, we are still scratching our
heads on a few things, but I am sure will make further steps
in the next few tests in time for the start of the season.
It was tough here at Phillip Island but the improvements we
have made here will help us at the tracks we are already strong
at.”
Loris Capirossi:
“I had a tough day today and did struggle a bit. I
nearly completed a long run but unfortunately that was red
flagged and I didn’t quite finish what I wanted to do.
We still have quite a bit of work to do at Phillip Island
and I would have liked to have been further up the time sheets
as I don’t think it is a good reflection of all the
hard work the team did this week. We tested many new parts
from Japan and some worked, but also some were not quite as
good. We now go to Europe and I am sure we will be very competitive
after what we have learned here in Australia.”
Phillip Island Test Day Three Classification:
1. Casey Stoner (Ducati) 1’28.777: 2. Nicky Hayden
(Honda) +0.957: 3. James Toseland (Yamaha) +0.977: 4. Andrea
Dovizioso (Honda) +1.003: 5. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) +1.018:
6. CHRIS VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +1.439: 13. LORIS
CAPIROSSI (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +2.731:
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