Rizla Suzuki MotoGP confident after positive first test
 Rizla
Suzuki MotoGP has completed its first 2008 pre-season test
at Sepang in Malaysia, confident that all the items tested
and evaluated will give it a clear indication of the direction
to take in forthcoming tests.
Chris Vermeulen and new-signing Loris Capirossi completed
three exhausting and comprehensive days of testing in high
temperatures at the 5.5km Malaysian track, and both riders
were impressed with the performance of the new-spec engine
they tried for the first time in the Suzuki GSV-R.
Following on today from in-depth evaluations of tyres, brake
components and many other electronic and mechanical strategies
over the previous two days, the Rizla Suzuki riders completed
race-distance runs on their respective machines to gather
as much data as possible for the Factory Technicians present
at trackside. Vermeulen completed 70 laps today – over
380kms of race-pace riding in temperatures approaching 35°C
- with Capirossi just behind on 62 laps. The Australian was
ninth quickest overall with a fastest time of 2’01.748
that was recorded on Bridgestone race-tyres during the hottest
part of the day, as he simulated what is likely to be race
conditions for the Malaysian Grand Prix later this year. Capirossi
was immediately after his new team-mate on the timesheets,
with a fastest time of 2’01.778 to give him 10th position.
However, when lap times are adjusted to exclude the use of
qualifying tyres, the Rizla Suzuki duo placed fourth and fifth
respectively.
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP now moves south to Phillip Island in
Australia for the second test of a busy pre-season schedule
in readiness for the first race of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship
season at Losail in Qatar on Sunday 10th March.
Chris Vermeulen:
“After all the intensive testing of the first two days
it was good to get a long run and simulate a race distance
on the new GSV-R today. The conditions were really hard as
it was the hottest part of the day, but what was pleasing
was that I did the best lap-time I’ve ever recorded
at Sepang during that, so it shows that the reliability and
durability of the bike is similar to what we had last year
– but a bit quicker! Bridgestone has given us a step
up in rear tyre performance, now we need to work together
to find the best front solution. We now head off to Australia
to continue with the testing programme, we still have a long
way to go before the first race, but this has certainly been
a good start.”
Loris Capirossi:
“This is only the fourth time I have been on the bike
at a test, but I already feel like I have been here for a
long time and I am one of the family! The bike is getting
better all the time and we are learning not only what is working
well, but also what isn’t! The bike is really good,
I like the feedback it gives me, it’s amazing under
hard braking - my confidence is really starting to grow! We
have to go to Australia now and I know that that has been
a difficult track in the past for Suzuki, but I am sure with
all the testing developments and the new parts that the factory
are giving us we can make the bike more competitive there
than is has ever been. We did a long run today and it was
good for me to see how the bike behaved over full race distance
and what I can expect when we start racing for real in March.”
Paul Denning – Team Manager:
“This has been a very positive test and a good start
to the season. Chris and Loris were on the pace from day one
and have got through an enormous amount of work. Suzuki has
really done a great job with the bike, especially the new
engine, and it’s great to be so close to the best pace
when we still have some clear areas to improve upon. The crew
also did a fantastic job, after almost seven weeks away; they
were on it right from the start and worked tirelessly over
the three days and nights!
“We still have a lot of work to do but everyone is
super-motivated and we are all focussed on doing the very
best we can. We have a good base package and two great riders.
Our only goal is to as competitive as we can come race-time!”
Sepang Test Day Three Classification:
1. Nicky Hayden (Honda) 2’00.320: 2. Casey Stoner (Ducati)
+0.334: 3. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) +0.440: 5. Colin Edwards
(Yamaha) +0.853: 5. John Hopkins (Kawasaki) +0.872: 9. CHRIS
VERMEULEN (RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +1.422: 10. LORIS CAPIROSSI
(RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP) +1.452:
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