Rizla Suzuki MotoGP fired up for first test of 2008
 Rizla
Suzuki MotoGP is heading to Sepang in Malaysia in an eager
mood, to begin this year’s testing in readiness for
the 2008 MotoGP World Championship.
Chris Vermeulen and new Suzuki signing Loris Capirossi will
join up with the rest of the crew from around the world at
the 5.5km Sepang International Circuit on Tuesday 22nd January,
for the first test of a busy pre-season schedule before the
opening race of the season at Qatar on Sunday 9th March.
The Suzuki Factory Engineers have been working in a methodical
and focussed manner during the enforced winter break to ensure
Vermeulen and Capirossi can continue with the positive testing
on the 2008 Suzuki GSV-R, as shown in last year’s post-season
tests at Valencia, Sepang and Phillip Island. Team Test Rider
Nobuatsu Aoki will join the two Rizla Suzuki racers to assist
with the thorough test programme that the team will undertake
during the three days in Malaysia.
Sepang will be the first time that new signing Capirossi
will appear in the recognisable Rizla blue, as the experienced
Italian star begins his Suzuki career. It will also signal
the first official sighting of Vermeulen running the iconic
crossed seven – made famous by Barry Sheene –
on his GSV-R.
Chris Vermeulen:
“I can’t wait to get back on the bike and start
testing again. We made really good progress during the tests
at the end of last year and I have been in constant touch
with my Crew Chief Tom O’Kane, and from what we have
been told the bike is looking good for this season. This is
my third full year in MotoGP so it is a very important time
in my career and I need to be performing at the top of my
game from the start. I believe I am in the right team and
with the right bike and we can make a big impact in 2008!”
Loris Capirossi:
“This is a great time to be with Suzuki, I believe
that I have joined a team that is very much on the way up.
I was pleased with the way the bike behaved in the tests last
year and am very excited about what we will have to test in
Sepang. For sure it is not going to be easy this year as other
teams will have improved their bikes, but I feel we will be
able to compete with anybody. We need to get into the tests
and make sure we can get the best set-up and performance from
the bike in time for the first race. You don’t win races
in tests but we have a good chance to make sure that we are
in the best position to win them when the season starts by
using these upcoming days to make every possible improvement
that we can.”
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