Positive steps after a hard day’s night for Rizla
Suzuki
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racers Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi
both made encouraging improvements during the final tough
session of testing at Losail in Qatar tonight.
The riders were again testing under the floodlights of Qatar’s
5.38km Losail International Circuit as they prepared themselves
for next week’s Grand Prix – also under the lights
in Qatar.
Vermeulen was quick to capitalise on the progress he made
in yesterday’s test and his best time of 1’56.119
from his 73 laps was good enough to give him eighth place
on the timesheets. He continued to search for the optimum
set-up of his Suzuki GSV-R and is convinced that his crew
has succeeded in making a big step in the right direction.
Capirossi (P11, 1’56.450, 64 laps) was called upon
to carry out some crucial engine and chassis tests as he too
searched for the best solutions to maximise the potential
of his 2008 machine. His cause was not helped by a heavy crash
during the evening, but the experienced Italian walked away
unhurt and was soon back out on his spare GSV-R.
The cold night-air of the barren Qatari landscape again played
its part tonight as the track temperatures dropped to 13ºC,
making the correct choice of tyres vitally important to get
the best grip. Jorge Lorenzo on his factory Yamaha set the
fastest time whilst using a qualifying tyre.
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has just one week before it is back on
track for the opening round of the MotoGP calendar, a race
that will make history by being the first-ever Grand Prix
staged at night.
Chris Vermeulen:
“It was good night of testing here in Qatar. I think
we have taken the most steps in a test so far this year with
the 2008 GSV-R, so in that respect I am really happy. We took
our lap time forward by over a second consistently so that
puts us in a better position for the race next week. I would
like to thank the crew for all their hard work during what
have been quite awkward hours. I now just can’t wait
for the race!”
Loris Capirossi
“I think I lost a bit too much time today because I
tested too many things. I tried three different engines and
maybe was a bit confused with all the different options, but
it was really important to do it. The good thing is that we
now really understand where we need to be, but we will still
have to work hard to get there. I also lost time because I
had a big crash, but luckily I wasn’t hurt and could
carry on. Really this has been quite a good test because we
have learnt many things.”
Paul Denning – Team Manager:
“Yesterday was very difficult and we didn’t achieve
anything close to what we’d hoped for - or what the
riders and GSV-R should be capable of. We made big steps today
towards unlocking the full potential of the 2008 bike, with
Chris in particular being able to find a rhythm and run in
the low 56’s on race tyres, which is much closer to
the front running pace.
“Loris had an evening of fundamental testing work which
is not the ideal way to prepare at the final test of the off-season,
but the work he has completed tonight has been extremely important
to determine some key factors with regards to the next steps.
A fairly sizeable crash didn’t help, but his enthusiasm
shone through again and he wasn’t put off the job-in-hand
at all.
“Everybody in the team is now looking forward to getting
the first race of 2008 under our belts next weekend and -
whilst we still have a lot of work to do to get to where we
want to be - we have taken some significant steps towards
a decent result this evening.”
IRTA Qatar Night Test Second Session Classification:
1. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 1’54.552: 2. James Toseland
(Yamaha) +0.040: 3. Randy de Puniet (Honda) +0.421: 4. Colin
Edwards (Yamaha) +0.912: 5. Casey Stoner (Ducati) 0.933: 8.
CHRIS VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +1.567: 11. LORIS CAPIROSSI
(RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +1.898:
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